The Mediating Role Of Self-Esteem Between Parent-Child Attachment And Psychological Distress
Abstract
In the field of mental health, the incidence of psychological distress is a major concern. The study is to investigate the mediating role of self-esteem between parent-child attachment and psychological distress, acknowledging its importance as a critical determinant of psychological distress. A cross-sectional, quantitative research approach was employed to recruit 158 individuals through various social media channels. For the current investigation, purposeful sampling was selected. Participants who met the following requirements—Malaysian nationality, young adulthood (18–24 years), and current university enrollment—completed the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Inventory of Parents and Peer Attachment. The findings showed a strong correlation between psychological distress and self-esteem as well as parent-child attachment. Furthermore, a significant relationship between psychological distress and self-esteem was found. Most significantly, the study demonstrated how self-esteem plays a mediating role in the association between psychological distress and parent-child attachment. These results, which align with earlier studies, provide valuable insights for future research, advancing our knowledge of the intricate relationships between psychological distress, self-esteem, and parent-child attachment among Malaysian students.
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Publication Date
01 September 2026
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eBook ISBN
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European Publisher
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1st Edition
Pages
1-1
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Accounting and Finance, Business and Management, Communication, Law and Governance
Cite this article as:
Yao*, T. X., Teng, M. W., Wan, K., Ling, O. S., & Su Wan, G. (2026). The Mediating Role Of Self-Esteem Between Parent-Child Attachment And Psychological Distress. In Y. Naoyuki, A. Peng Hwa, & J. Matthes (Eds.), GLY-Upcoming Volume: Innovating Together: The Convergence of Management, Communication, and The Digital Transformation, vol -. European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences (pp. 225-236). European Publisher. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2026.09.16