Examining and Comparing Perceived Parenting Styles with Intimacy and Forgiveness in University Students

Abstract

Background and Objective: The present study aimed to examine and compare perceived parenting styles with intimacy and forgiveness in university students.
 
 
Methods and Materials: The research method was descriptive and correlational. The statistical population consisted of university students, from which 400 students were selected using a cluster random sampling method. The tools used in this study were the Parenting Styles Questionnaire, Miller Social Intimacy Scale, and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale. Results from correlation and stepwise regression tests showed a significant relationship between students' intimacy and their parents' authoritative parenting style.
 
 
Findings: The results indicated that none of the parenting styles—authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful—had a significant relationship with students' forgiveness.
 
 
Conclusion: Therefore, considering the findings of this research, which showed that the perceived authoritative parenting style significantly contributes to the development of intimacy, it is recommended that parents adopt democratic and authoritative parenting styles, considering their children's perceptions and understanding, to foster positive personality traits such as intimacy in their children.