Degree

BS (Social Sciences & Liberal Arts)

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Department

Department of Social Sciences & Liberal Arts

Date of Award

Spring 2025

Date of Submission

2026-07-10

Advisor

Dr. Ismat Abbas, Assistant Professor SSLA - SESS

Project Type

SSLA Culminating Experience

Access Type

Restricted Access

Keywords

family structure, attachment style, self-esteem, nuclear family, joint family, Pakistan, young adult

Abstract

This study explores the psychological implications of family structure, specifically nuclear and joint family systems, on attachment styles and self-esteem among young adults in Karachi, Pakistan. Rooted in Bowlby’s Attachment Theory and Rosenberg’s Theory of Self-Esteem, the research investigates how early familial environments, shaped by caregiving consistency and emotional availability, impact psychological development in a collectivist society undergoing rapid social change. The central themes of the study include the nature of attachment (secure, anxious, avoidant), the development of self-worth, and the influence of long-term stability within family systems. Using a cross-sectional quantitative design, data were collected from 104 young adults aged 18 to 25 through purposive sampling. Standardized psychometric instruments—the Adult Attachment Scale (Collins & Read, 1990) and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (1965)—were used to measure the key variables. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, including t-tests as well as multiple regression analysis. Results revealed no significant differences in attachment or self-esteem levels based on nuclear or joint family background alone. However, individuals who lived in the same family structure for over ten years showed higher avoidant attachment and lower self-esteem, suggesting that the emotional quality of caregiving may matter more than the structural setup itself. This research is significant in the context of Pakistan’s shifting familial patterns due to urbanization. By examining the intersection of culture, family dynamics, and psychological well-being, the study contributes to culturally relevant mental health discourse and highlights the need for emotionally responsive environments over structural ideals.

Pages

60

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