Date
7-22-2025
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Diane Pearce
Keywords
Psychology, Parent-Child Relationships, Attachment, Emotional Regulations, Educational Psychology, Emotions, Child, Children, Adolescents, Childhood, Parenthood, Family, Emotional Development, Teaching & Learning
Disciplines
Educational Psychology | Psychology
Recommended Citation
Triplett, Stanley T., "The Relationship Between Parent-Child Attachment and Emotional Regulations in Adolescents" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7209.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7209
Abstract
It is unknown how parent-child attachment is related to emotion regulation among adolescents; this quantitative correlational study aimed to examine how the quality of parent-child attachment was related to adolescents’ emotion regulation abilities, and whether gender or stage of adolescence moderated this relationship. Data collected from 116 parents of adolescents aged 10-21 using the Attachment Q-Sort Questionnaire, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and a demographic questionnaire were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis, indicating that the model was significant; the quality of parent-child attachment explained 6% of the variance in adolescents’ emotion regulation, meaning the quality of parent-child attachment could predict changes in adolescents’ emotion regulation. Adolescents’ gender and age moderate that relationship. Gender and age also moderate the relationship by strengthening or weakening the effects or changing the direction of the relationship. The study reinforces the attachment theory, demonstrating that parent-child attachment quality is related to adolescent emotion regulation, even as children age. Schools and community-based organizations can provide targeted support. Rooted in the truths of Scripture, this research echoes Ephesians 6:4 regarding raising children with nurturing guidance, and the compassion of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 to comfort others as we have been comforted (New International Bible, 1973/2011). To foster resilience in the next generation, educators, clinicians, and parents must uphold psychological insight and spiritual wisdom to welcome children, as Christ taught in Matthew 18:5, parenting with courage and grace; future research is encouraged (New International Bible, 1973/2011).
