Perceived Parenting and Attachment Style in Young Adults: A Review

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Page: 163-168

Anushka Singh and Neerja Pandey (Amity Institute of Behavioural and Allied Sciences (AIBAS), Amity University Lucknow Campus, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh)

Parenting plays a fundamental role in shaping an individual’s attachment style, influencing emotional regulation, self-esteem, and relationship satisfaction. While extensive research has explored this relationship in Western contexts, there remains a significant gap in understanding how perceived parenting influences attachment within the Indian cultural framework. Given the unique socio-cultural dynamics of Indian families, where collectivist values, extended family structures, and respect for authority shape caregiving practices, it is crucial to assess how these factors impact attachment development. This review examines the correlation between young adults’ perceptions of parenting-whether authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, or uninvolved-and their attachment styles. It aims to explore how perceived parenting influences emotional resilience, mental health, and relational well-being, particularly within the Indian cultural context. A systematic review of existing literature on perceived parenting and attachment styles was conducted, synthesizing key findings from both Indian and international studies. The analysis is grounded in Bowlby’s Attachment Theory and Baumrind’s parenting model to provide a comprehensive understanding of how early caregiving experiences shape attachment patterns. The results highlight the significant influence of early caregiving experiences on the development of attachment styles, demonstrating that secure attachment emerges from consistent and responsive parenting, whereas insecure attachment-whether anxious, avoidant, or disorganized-often results from inconsistent or emotionally unavailable caregiving. This study emphasizes the importance of culturally sensitive parenting interventions and the need for further research to examine attachment patterns across diverse cultural contexts. These findings have valuable implications for parents, educators, mental health practitioners, and policymakers in strengthening family relationships and enhancing emotional well-being in young adults.