Mental health in emerging adulthood: Anti‐mattering mediates the effects of attachment to mothers and fathers

Abstract Objective The current study examined associations among emerging adults' attachment security and insecurity to mothers and fathers, mattering, anti‐mattering, and psychological distress. Background Parent–child attachment and mattering have been found to have a unique impact on psychological functioning during emerging adulthood; however, few studies have considered their simultaneous contributions. Method A sample of 278 college students participated in an online survey. Measures assessed emerging adults' recollections of interactions with their parents during childhood as well as current perceptions of mattering, anti‐mattering, and psychological distress. Results Attachment security to mothers was inversely related to psychological distress, whereas attachment insecurity to mothers and fathers was positively associated with psychological distress. Moreover, mattering was inversely related to psychological distress and insecurity to mothers and fathers and positively correlated to security to mothers and fathers. Conversely, anti‐mattering was positively correlated with psychological distress and insecurity to mothers and fathers and inversely related to security to mothers and fathers. Conclusion Path analysis showed that anti‐mattering, but not mattering, mediated the associations between participants' attachment security to their mothers and fathers and their psychological distress. Implications These findings could also be used to inform intervention and counseling efforts aimed at improving individuals' perceived significance and value across the lifespan.