Parentification, Differentiation of Self and Interpersonal Communication Competence of Adults from Single-Parent Households

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the relationship between parentification, differentiation of self, and interpersonal communication competence of adults from single-parent households. A correlational study design was used to conduct the study. A sample of 306 adults, both men (n=143) and women (n=163), with an age range of 19-30 years were selected by using purposive convenient sampling. Parentification Questionnaire for Youth (Borchet, 2023), Interpersonal Communication Competence Scale (Rubin & Martin, 1994) and Differentiation of Self – Short Form (Skowron, 1998) was used to collect data from participants for this research. The results of Pearson product-moment correlation analysis showed Parentification (towards Parents) was positively significant with interpersonal communication competence, while parentification (towards siblings) was negatively significant with interpersonal communication competence of adults from single-parent households. Parentification (towards parents) was significant and negatively correlated with differentiation of self of adults from single-parent households. The results of mediation analysis showed interpersonal communication competence acted as a significant mediator in the relationship between parentification (towards parents and siblings) and differentiation of self. Group comparisons revealed that adults living in joint family system had higher parentification as compared to the individuals from nuclear family setups. It was also found that adults of fifth and first birth orders had higher parentification and lowest interpersonal communication competence as compared to the second, third, fourth and fifth birth orders. Similarly, adults with either none or more than 5 number of siblings had higher parentification as compared to the other numbers, while adults who had no siblings had highest level of differentiation of self. Moreover it was determined that adults living with their mothers had higher parentification towards parents and higher differentiation of self, on the other hand adults living with their fathers had higher parentification towards siblings and higher interpersonal communication competence. This study has implications for future research, the findings may contribute to the growing body of research literature in the field of psychology in the domain of parenting, adults, and interpersonal communication.