Parental modeling as predictor of filial obligation in young adults

ABSTRACT

Filial obligation plays a vital role in family functioning and interaction with parents. The role of parental modeling as a factor contributing to filial obligation was explored in 200 men and women with an age range between 25 to 35 years with mean age of 28.27[+/- SD 2.38]. It was hypothesized that parental modeling would predict filial obligation [i.e. Contact and Family Ritual, Conflict Avoidance, Assistance, Self-Sufficient and Personal Sharing]. In addition, the gender differences on Filial Obligation were also examined. The Self-developed Parental Modeling Questionnaire [PMQ] and Felt Obligation Measure [FOM; Stein, 1992] along with a Structured Interview Schedule were used. The Linear Regression analysis and t-test were employed for statistical analysis of data. The results indicated that parental modeling is a significant predictor of filial obligation in young adults. Further, gender differences were observed on four domains of filial obligation except for Self-Sufficient sub-domain. The implications of results for healthy parent child interaction are discussed