Nianyi Cheng

Nianyi Cheng

Oct. 30, 2026

Parenting style, Attachment patterns, Defense mechanisms, Mazu culture.

The family environment has a significant influence on the psychological development of adolescents. Parenting styles, attachment patterns, and defense mechanisms are interconnected, but the inner connections between these three modes of effect are poorly researched. Based on Mazu culture background, this study explores the impact of parenting style on adolescent defense mechanisms as well as the moderating effect of cultural factors. A questionnaire survey of 242 adolescents (aged 12-18) was performed. The results indicate that parenting styles affect attachment significantly, and that the attachment has a partial mediating effect on defense mechanisms. The more one is exposed to the Mazu culture, the more positive his/her parenting style, the more secure their attachment, and the more mature their defense mechanisms. The results indicate that parenting styles and the secure base of attachment are important avenues to consider when promoting mental health in adolescence, and that local cultural resources may be protective.

© 2026, the Authors. Published by ISCCAC

This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC license