Parenting Styles in Single-Parent Families and Their Association with Borderline Personality Disorder Traits in Young Adults

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19974392

Abstract

Parenting styles play a vital role in the development of emotional and personality traits, especially in single-parent families with high levels of psychosocial adversity. This study examines the relationship between parenting styles and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) traits in young adulthood. Based on attachment theory and the biosocial model, poor parenting styles, in the form of neglect and control, are expected to play a role in emotion dysregulation and personality vulnerabilities (Crowell, Beauchaine, & Linehan, 2009; Steele, Townsend, & Grenyer, 2019). A quantitative cross-sectional method was used to study 200 single-parented young adults (18-25 years old).

Parenting styles and BPD traits were measured using standardized measures. Data analysis methods included reliability, correlation, independent sample t-test, ANOVA and regression. Authoritative parenting was found to have a negative association with BPD traits, while authoritarian and neglectful parenting had a positive association. Results of regression analysis revealed that parenting styles significantly predicted BPD traits (48% variance). Findings suggest adaptive parenting styles are crucial for minimizing psychological risks in at-risk groups.