Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Psychology

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This thesis explores the relation between two dimensions of parental bonding—care and overprotection—and four aspects of sexual self-concept including sexual agency, desire, anxiety, and satisfaction in college students. We also explored the use of a relatively novel measure of sexual self-concept, the MSSCQ-SF. 292 college students completed measures regarding parental bonding, sexual self-concept, and various demographic questions. Results partially supported our hypotheses, with parental care and overprotection being correlated with sexual anxiety and satisfaction but not desire or agency. Further, parental overprotection was positively correlated with sexual anxiety above and beyond the demographic variables assessed. These findings suggest that parental bonding differentially affects aspects of sexual self-concept, and special attention should be paid to the effects of overbearing parenting on the development of sexual anxiety. Our exploration of the MSSCQ-SF found that the sexual agency subscale did not meet reliability standards, pointing to the need for further development of the measure. This study provides novel findings regarding the effects of parenting behaviors on sexual self-concept in young adults and highlights the need for further exploration of these relations.

Date

29-5-2026

DOI

https://proquest.com/docview/3346748347

First Committee Chair

Hung-Chu Lin

First Committee Member

David Perkins

Second Committee Member

Emily Sandoz

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