Paternal Acceptance as a Mediator of the Association Between Maternal Acceptance and Youth’s Personality Disposition

Abstract

Drawing upon interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory (IPARTheory), the present study aims to explore the associations between perceived maternal acceptance and the seven personality dispositions most central to the theory (hostility, dependence, self-esteem, self-adequacy, emotional responsiveness, emotional stability, worldview), as well as the possible mediating role of paternal acceptance. Data were collected from 551 Turkish children (50.6% boys) aged 11 through 15 (M=12.78 years) using a random sampling method. Results showed that both maternal and paternal acceptance were significant predictors of six of the seven personality dispositions most central in IPARTheory (low hostility, positive self-esteem, positive self-adequacy, emotional responsiveness, emotional stability, and positive worldview). Additionally, results showed that paternal acceptance partially mediated the association between maternal acceptance and low hostility, positive self-adequacy, emotional responsiveness, emotional stability, and positive worldview.