The relationship between emotional security, family communication patterns and general psychopathology level: The mediator role of prefrontal functions

The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a moderator role of prefrontal functions in the relationship between emotional security, family communication patterns and general psychopathology level. The sample of the research is 282 adults aged between 18-40 years. The research investigates the perception of emotional security individuals obtained from their early lives, family communication patterns, current prefrontal functions and current general psychopathology levels. Due to the aim of this study, Emotion Security Scale, Family Communication Patterns Scale, Interpersonal Neurobiology Based Prefrontal Functions Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory and demographic information questionnaire are employed. Results point that when one of the the family communication patterns which is conformity orientation increases, general psychopathology level increases at the same time. Besides, when prefrontal functions and one of the family communication patterns which is conversation orientation increase, general psychopathology level decreases. The structural equation model is represented in the sample when a path between emotional security and family communication patterns is included. According to the findings of the last significant model of the analysis, prefrontal functions mediate the relationship between family communication patterns and general psychopathology level; however, prefrontal functions do not mediate the relationship between emotional security and general psychopathology level. Beside that, in the proposed model, parallel increase or decrease has been observed between the emotional security and family communication patterns. Increase in emotional security and increase in family communication patterns, together with decrease in conversation orientation predict decrease in general psychopathology level; and prefrontal functions show mediation effect in this model. The alternative model obtained in line with the associations proposed by the analysis (removal of the direct relation from emotional security to prefrontal functions, formation of a direct path from emotional security to general psychopathology level), had been found to have a better fit. The direct and indirect relationships in the tested model correspond to related themed literature. Findings of the research may shed light on the determination of early life familial factors that have some effects on adult psychopathology. The results may contribute to the development of protective/preventive early intervention programs. Thus, the prevalence of psyhcopathologies such as anxiety, depression, negative self, somatization and hostility may be decreased.