Effects of parental attachment styles on interpersonal relationships in A group of nursing students

Objective: This study has been carried out in order to investigate the effects of parental attachment styles on interpersonal relationships, and, according to the findings, to provide suggestions for improving students' interpersonal relationships and their insights on attachment types. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive-correlational study. The sample group consists of 451 undergraduate nursing students studying at a university in İstanbul. The data were collected using Student Information Forms, Interpersonal Style Scale (ISS) and Parental Attachment Scale (PAS). Results: It was found in the study that nursing students had highest scores in the Attention/Control Mother subscale and lowest scores in the Overprotection Mother subscale in PAS, while they had the highest scores Dominant Type subscale and lowest scores in the Mocking Type subscale of ISS. According to PAS-Attention and Protection subscale mean scores, the participating students perceived their attitudes toward their parents as moderately-positive, and found their mothers more caring than their fathers. Negative interpersonal relationship styles of nursing students' were found to decrease as their parental attachment levels increase (p <0.05). Results: Correlation coefficients obtained by a comparison of Parental Attachment Scale and Interpersonal Style Scale indicate that there was a positive correlation between parental attachment level and interpersonal relationship styles. Considering the importance of interpersonal relationships, communication and attachment in nursing, it is anticipated that nursing students could benefit from amendments to the curriculum, trainings, and activities such as role-plays.