The role of parental bonding and social support in mentalization processes during emerging adulthood

Mentalization is a competence of understanding ourselves and others that develops first in the family and later social environment. In the literature, it is stated that the relationship with parents and its association with attachment styles wield substantial influence in the development of mentalization. The importance of mentalization capacity in people's social lives, both in receiving and giving social support, has been emphasized. Furthermore, it has been noted that mentalization becomes more prominent with emerging adulthood which includes the process of individuation, and that parental bonding can be better understood during this period. However, there is no research in the literature on the impact of perceived parental bonding and overprotective parental bonding on individuals' mentalization. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between perceived parenting bonding and social support on mentalization during emerging adulthood. The findings showed that perceived parental care and social support predicted mentalization during emerging adulthood. Also, participants who perceived their parents as overprotective displayed less mentalization capacity. The significance of this study extends to both the clinical field and literature. Further research could involve a dialectical study that includes both mothers and fathers, allowing for an examination of the differences between their perceptions and the bonding of parents to their children.