The Influence of Parental Behavior on Emerging Adult Egocentrism

Existing research indicates that adolescent egocentrism, people of adolescent age being overly interested in oneself, is influenced by numerous factors, including identity development and parental behavior (Scarfo, 1993). Though it has been shown that this link between perceived parental behavior and adolescent egocentrism exists (Adams & Jones, 1982), research has not yet examined this relationship in emerging adults. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to explore the relationship between parental behavior/support and egocentrism in emerging adults, while controlling for personality. Emerging adult college students (N = 46) completed a Qualtrics survey that measured imaginary audience (a component of egocentrism), overall egocentrism, perceived parental behavior, and personality. The results of our study showed there was no significant relationship between openness, agreeableness, extraversion, neuroticism, and egocentrism. There was also no correlation between parenting style and egocentrism. However, there was a positive relationship between conscientiousness and egocentrism (p=0.16). There was also a correlation between conscientiousness and the imaginary audience scale (p=0.03). While this finding does not support our hypothesis, it does offer added information about possible correlational relationships between the big five, parental support, and egocentrism in emerging adults