Abstract

This study aimed to determine the differential effect of the parentification sub-factor (injustice, caretaking) on college student interpersonal ability (IA). Self-discrepancy (SD) and cognitive empathy (CE) were utilized as parameters to validate the structural relationship. Regarding demographic characteristics, both types of parentifiaction revealed statistically significant differences between family type structure and birth order, respectively. Parentification-injustice was negatively correlated with the IA and CE but positively correlated with the SD. In contrast to injustice, Parentification-caretaking was negatively correlated with the IA and CE but not significantly correlated with SD. These results indicated that the sub-factor of parentification (injustice, caretaking) had a differential effect on IA by mediating SD and CE. Based on these finding, the implications and limitations of this study are discussed.