Abstract
Grounded in interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory (IPARTheory), this study examined the relationship between recollections of parental rejection during childhood and fear of intimacy during adulthood, as mediated by psychological maladjustment and interpersonal anxiety, and as moderated by intimate partner rejection. A sample of 253 Iranians completed the Persian translations of the measures of paternal, maternal, and intimate partner acceptance-rejection, fear of intimacy, interpersonal anxiety, and psychological maladjustment. Results of the mediation and moderation analyses using PROCESS Macro revealed that psychological maladjustment mediated the relationship between recollections of maternal and paternal rejection and fear of intimacy. Interpersonal anxiety only mediated the relationship between recollections of maternal rejection and fear of intimacy. Lastly, intimate partner’s rejection only moderated the direct effect of maternal rejection on fear of intimacy. These finding build onto the existing IPARTheory literature and provide valuable insights for clinical application.
Highlights
Psychological maladjustment mediated the relationship between recollections of maternal and paternal rejection and fear of intimacy.
Interpersonal anxiety only mediated the relationship between recollections of maternal rejection and fear of intimacy.
The relation between maternal rejection and fear of intimacy appeared mostly in people with average or greater than average experiences of intimate partner rejection.
Openness to change in mental representations highlights the importance of the attachment relationships formed later in adulthood, specifically in intimate relationships with a significant other.
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Data Availability
The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Due to complete anonymity during the data collection process, this study was considered low-risk and was approved by the ethics board of the Family Research Institute of Shahid Beheshti University. The procedures used in this study adhere to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki.
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SeyedMousavi, P., Khoshroo, S., Memarian, M. et al. Memories of parental rejection and fear of intimacy: the role of psychological maladjustment, interpersonal anxiety, and rejection by an intimate Partner. Curr Psychol 42, 31801–31809 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-04160-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-04160-1