This study examined the structural relationships among early parental attachment, self-concealment, and interpersonal problems in late adolescents. Participants were 200 university students enrolled in universities located in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk r...
This study examined the structural relationships among early parental attachment, self-concealment, and interpersonal problems in late adolescents. Participants were 200 university students enrolled in universities located in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions. They completed self-report questionnaires assessing early parental attachment, self-concealment, and interpersonal problems. Data were analyzed using SPSS 28.0 and the SPSS PROCESS Macro (version 4.1). To test the mediating effect of self-concealment on the relationship between early parental attachment and interpersonal problems, simple regression analyses and Model 4 of the PROCESS Macro were employed. The significance of indirect effects was verified using bootstrapping.
The results were as follows:
First, early parental attachment had a significant positive effect on interpersonal problems.
Second, early parental attachment had a significant positive effect on self-concealment (B = .32, β = .37, t = 5.67, p < .001).
Third, self-concealment had a significant positive effect on interpersonal problems.
Finally, early parental attachment indirectly influenced interpersonal problems through the mediating effect of self-concealment.
These findings suggest that early parental attachment and self-concealment tendencies play crucial roles in explaining interpersonal problems among late adolescents. Therefore, this study emphasizes the importance of fostering secure early parental attachment and addressing self-concealment tendencies to promote healthier interpersonal relationships during late adolescence. The results provide valuable foundational data for counseling and psychological interventions aimed at enhancing adolescents relational well-being.