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This research examined the extent to which perceived parental love is associated with happiness levels in adulthood and investigated whether emotional intelligence and self-esteem mediate this relationship. In a sample of 88 Australian adults, with a mean age of 41.55, SD = 12.78, perceived parental love predicted adult happiness. Emotional intelligence and self-esteem were related to both perceived parental love and happiness. The relationship between perceived parental love and happiness was mediated by emotional intelligence and self-esteem. When perceived maternal and paternal love were examined separately, maternal love was positively associated with adult happiness with mediation through higher emotional intelligence and self-esteem. While early paternal love had a direct association with adult happiness, there was no mediating effect of self-esteem or emotional intelligence. Also, only maternal love made a unique contribution to predicting adult happiness, suggesting that perceived love received from a mother during childhood may be particularly important to the development of happiness. |
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