Acceptance of Spouse and Psychological Adjustment of Women: The Mediating Role of Parental Acceptance

the mediating role of perceived parental acceptance as related to spousal acceptance and its psychological outcomes was investigated. 120 married female students selected from Tehran universities completed the Intimate Partner Acceptance-Rejection & Control (Rohner & Khaleque, 2005), Parental Acceptance- Rejection and Control (Mother and Father version; Rohner & Khaleque, 2005) and Personality Assessment Questionnaire (Rohner & Khaleque, 2005). Results revealed that paternal, maternal and acceptance-rejection and behavioral control each independently and significantly predict psychological adjustment, however, only paternal and spouse acceptance, and behavioral control of father significantly predicted psychological adjustment after the effect of other variables in women were controlled. Also, the behavioral control of mother and spouse was no more significantly predictive of psychological adjustment of women than their acceptance and rejection. The results posit that although the parental role in psychological adjustment of women is significant but spouse acceptance could moderate its effects, especially the mother’s role. Therefore, future experiences could alter the effects of perceived parental acceptance-rejection.