The effect of adult attachment styles and parent attitudes on forgiving flexibility

The main purpose of this study is to examine the effects of attachment styles and parental attitudes on forgiveness flexibility in adults. Another aim of the study is to determine whether attachment styles, parental attitudes and forgiveness flexibility differ according to various demographic variables in adults. Attachment styles and parental attitudes were the independent variables in the study; Forgiveness flexibility was examined as the dependent variable. Relational survey method, which is one of the quantitative research methods, was used to determine whether dependent and independent variables differ according to demographic variables. The research was carried out with a total of 459 participants, 384 women (83.7%) and 75 men (16.3%). The data in the research were collected online due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The scales were delivered to the participants via the created Google form. The universe of the research consists of adult individuals living in Turkey. Participants were reached on a voluntary basis with appropriate sampling method. In the study, data were obtained by using Personal Information form, Forgiveness Flexibility, Child-rearing Attitudes and Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory II scales. The data were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, independent groups t-test, ANOVA and multiple hierarchical regression analysis methods. Appropriate statistical package program was used for the analysis of the data. Recognizing, internalizing and applying the sub-dimensions of forgiveness resilience; anxiety and avoidance sub-dimensions of attachment styles; the sub-dimensions of parental attitudes are the perceived acceptance/interest/love and strict control/control dimensions from parents. As a result of the analysis, it was found that there was no difference in the sub-dimensions of forgiveness flexibility depending on gender, age and relationship status. In the recognition and internalization sub-dimension of forgiveness flexibility, there are significant differences according to educational status, in the recognition sub-dimension, in favor of those with postgraduate education compared to those with high school education; in the internalization sub-dimension, a significant difference was found between those who received high school and postgraduate education in favor of postgraduate education. In the recognition sub-dimension of forgiveness flexibility, there was no relationship between the father's strict control and control dimension, while it was negatively correlated with avoidance and anxious attachment styles; it was concluded that there was a positive relationship between mother acceptance/care/love and father acceptance/care/love attitudes. In the internalization sub-dimension of forgiveness flexibility, there was no relationship between mother's acceptance/interest/love, mother's strict control/control, and father's strict control/control, while avoidance and anxious attachment style were negatively correlated. And a positive and significant relationship was found with father's acceptance/care/love attitude. While there is no relationship between avoidance and father's strict control/control in the practice sub-dimension of forgiveness flexibility, there is a negative correlation between anxious attachment style, mother's strict control/control attitude, and positively with mother's acceptance/care/love and father's acceptance/care/love attitude dimensions. According to the hierarchical regression results; it was found that the predictive level of the anxious attachment dimension decreased when it accompanied the positive and significant relationship between mother's acceptance/interest/love and father's acceptance/care/love and forgiveness flexibility, internalization and practice. It was found that the predictive level became meaningless when the anxious attachment dimension accompanied the negative and significant relationship between mother's strict control/control, forgiveness flexibility, recognition and practice. Recognition and practice dimension of avoidant attachment dimension, mother's acceptance/interest, love and forgiveness flexibility; It was found that the level of explanation decreased when the father's acceptance/interest/love and forgiveness flexibility were included in the positive and significant relationship between recognition, internalization and practice. It was found that when the avoidant attachment dimension accompanies the negative and significant relationship between parental attitudes, mother strict control/control and forgiveness flexibility, it makes the prediction level meaningless. The findings were discussed in the light of the literature and recommendations were made. Keywords:Forgiveness, Forgiveness flexibility, Parental attitudes, Attachment styles.