The effect of emotional security in the interparental relationship on adolescent adjustment: The development of a Japanese version of the Security in the Interparental Subsystem Scale

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and examine the reliability and validity of a Japanese version of the Security in the Interparental Subsystem Scale (SIS), which measures children's emotional security in the interparental relationship through self-assessment of their reactions to interparental conflict. We then examined the mediation model of emotional security between interparental conflict and children's adjustment, as proposed in Emotional Security Theory (EST). A questionnaire study was conducted with 682 middle and high school students between 12 and 18 years of age (mean age = 14.80 years, SD = 1.50 years). The results of confirmatory factor analysis supported the theoretical model of EST, and the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the SIS were demonstrated. Mediation analysis revealed mediated effects of emotional insecurity in the relationship between interparental conflict and children's anxiety/depression and aggression. These results suggest that the theoretical model of EST can be effectively applied in Japan.