Predictors of trait anxiety in emerging adults: Perceived maternal psychological control and psychological resilience

Family relationships play a critical role in individuals' psychological and emotional development. In particular, perceived psychological control from the mother emerges as a risk factor that may lead to increased levels of anxiety in individuals. Psychological resilience, on the other hand, may act as a protective factor by enhancing individuals' capacity to cope with adverse experiences and thereby reducing anxiety levels. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the predictive effects of perceived maternal psychological control and psychological resilience levels on trait anxiety in emerging adults. The sample of the study consisted of 227 emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 25. The study utilized the Personal Information Form, the Psychological Control Scale Mother Form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Brief Resilience Scale. Parametric tests were used with a statistical package program to test the hypotheses of the research. The findings indicate that perceived psychological control from the mother positively predicts continuous anxiety levels among emerging adults, whereas psychological resilience negatively predicts anxiety levels. These findings were discussed in the context of the literature, and recommendations were provided for researchers and mental health professionals.