The Effect of Attachment Styles and Parenting Styles on Self-Actualization: The Mediating Role of Personality Characteristics

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of attachment styles and parenting styles on self-actualization with mediating role of personality characters in students of Islamic Azad University, Science and Research of Khuzestan. 360 students (174 girls, 132 boys) were selected by simple random sampling method. The instruments included Simpson Attachment Inventory, Zaynali Inventory, NEO-FFI and Ahwas Self- Actualization Inventory. Fitness of the proposed model was examined through Structural Eqmation Modeling (SEM), using SPSS- 18 and Amas-18 Software packes. Indirect hypothesis were tested by bootstrap procedure. The results showed that the proposed model fit the data. Better fit and more meaningful results obtained by omittinh 1 nonsignificant path (authoritative style to openness) and using AMOS modification indices. Results related to indirect effects showed that indirect paths were significant except 3 indirect paths (secure attachment style to self–actualization through conscientiousness, unsecure attachment style to self–actualization through neuroticism and authoritative style to self–actualization through conscientiousness).