Background: Parental bonding is a key contributing factor in psychosocial development, since experiencing optimal versus non-optimal bonding has been linked to various mental health outcomes. In...Show moreBackground: Parental bonding is a key contributing factor in psychosocial development, since experiencing optimal versus non-optimal bonding has been linked to various mental health outcomes. In the recent years, mood disorders such as depression, as well as loneliness have been on the rise among university students. However, studies examining the link between parental bonding and depressive symptoms among this population have been limited, while the potential role of loneliness on the aforementioned relationship has not been investigated to date. Aim: This study explores the association between parental bonding and depressive symptoms, along with the potential mediating effect of loneliness, among university students. Method: A total of 207 Leiden University students (87.4% female) aged 18-33 years (Μ = 20.17, SD = 2.61) completed a self-reported questionnaire regarding parental bonding, depressive symptoms and loneliness. Results: Non-optimal maternal and paternal bonding significantly predicted higher depressive symptoms, after controlling for a number of sociodemographic variables, b = 6.16, 95% CI [3.52, 8.81], p < .001; b = 6.14, 95% CI [3.52, 8.77], p < .001 respectively. Moreover, there were significant indirect effects of non-optimal maternal and paternal bonding on depressive symptoms through loneliness, after controlling for participants’ living situation, b = 1.40, 95% CI [.53, 2.57]; b = 1.75, 95% CI [.79, 2.89]. Conclusion: Loneliness plays a mediating role in the relationship between parental bonding and depressive symptoms among young adult students. Present study findings could contribute to a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms linking parental bonding with depression and related mood disorders.Show less
Previous research found that personality and chronotype both are significant predictors of alcohol consumption. This study examined the personality type neuroticism and the evening chronotype as...Show morePrevious research found that personality and chronotype both are significant predictors of alcohol consumption. This study examined the personality type neuroticism and the evening chronotype as possible correlates of increased alcohol consumption. Additionally, we aimed to find a moderating effect of eveningness in the relationship between neuroticism and alcohol consumption. The Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA) included 2,981 participants between the ages of 18 and 65 and a total of more than eight questionnaires, from which we used the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ), Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) and Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Results showed a significant association between eveningness and alcohol consumption. The predicted moderation effect of eveningness was not found. The findings of this study may give a better understanding of possible risk factors for increased alcohol consumption, by verifying the predicted association between eveningness and increased alcohol consumption. Future research may however look further into the working mechanisms of eveningness with respect to the susceptibility of increased alcohol consumption.Show less
