Examining the mediating role of perceived parenting styles in examining the relationship between interpersonal dependency and separation anxiety in adults

This study, conducted to examine the mediating role of perceived parenting styles in the relationship between interpersonal dependency and separation anxiety in adults, was conducted with a quantitative research method and was conducted using a correlational research design. The sample of the research consists of a total of 251 adult individuals, 172 women and 79 men, aged between 18-50. Demographic Information Form, Interpersonal Dependency Scale, Adult Separation Anxiety Scale and Young Parenting Scale were used as data collection tools in the study. All the data obtained in the study were subjected to statistical analysis with the "IBM SPSS Statistics 29" package program. It was determined that adult separation anxiety positively and significantly predicted the perceived parenting styles of Controlling/Shaping, Overprotective/Anxious, Pessimistic/Anxious and Closed to Change/Suppressing Emotions in both mother and father forms. Perceived parenting styles that were found to positively predict interpersonal dependency are perceived Overprotective/Anxious and Closed to Change/Suppressing Emotions paternal parenting styles and perceived Closed to Change/Suppressing Emotions maternal parenting style. It was determined that perceived Closed to Change/Suppressing Emotions maternal parenting style and perceived Overprotective/Anxious and Closed to Change/Suppressing Emotions paternal parenting styles have a mediating role in the relationship between adult separation anxiety and interpersonal dependency. Additionally, a positive significant direct effect of adult separation anxiety was found on interpersonal dependency. Regarding adult separation anxiety, it was observed that female participants' adult separation anxiety scores were significantly higher than male participants.