Perceived Parenting Styles and Interpersonal Functioning in Young Adults: A Path Analysis of Paranoid Tendencies

Parenting plays an important role in developing personality. The current study aimed to find out the mediating role of paranoid tendencies in the association of parenting and interpersonal relationships. A sample of 450 participants (men = 215, women = 235) with the age range of 18–24 years ( M  = 20.8, SD  = 1.68) was selected through stratified random sampling. The measures used for the study were Early Memories of Upbringing, Quality of Relationship Inventory, and Paranoid Tendencies Scale, along with a demographic sheet. The findings of correlation analysis revealed a significant correlation between perceived parenting styles, paranoid tendencies, and Interpersonal relationships in young adults. Path analysis was used to investigate the mediating role of paranoid tendencies in the association of parenting and interpersonal relationships, which suggested the significant mediating role of paranoid tendencies in the association of parenting and interpersonal relationships. The results and implications are discussed in cultural and therapeutic contexts, suggesting the need for culturally informed parenting practices and therapeutic interventions targeting paranoid cognitions to enhance interpersonal relationship quality in young adults.