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Abstract

The present study investigated the role of parenting styles and Machiavellianism in borderline tendencies among university students. It was also intended to determine the role of various demographics (gender and years of education) in relation to study variables. Sample (N = 200) comprised of students (men and women) with age range of 18-29 years was acquired from government and private universities from Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Measures of Parenting Authority Questionnaire (Buri, 1991), Machiavellianism Subscale (Paulhus & William, 2011), Zanarini Rating Scale of Borderline Tendencies (Zanarini, 2003) were used to assess the study variables. Result showed positive association of negative parenting styles (authoritarian and permissive) with Machiavellianism and borderline tendencies. Results also showed that the positive parenting style (authoritative parenting style) was negatively associated with Machiavellianism and borderline tendencies. Findings further unveiled that the male students reported more negative parenting style and reflected higher inclinations of Machiavellianism and borderline tendencies as compared to women. It has been also found that postgraduate students expressed higher perceptions of negative parenting styles, Machiavellianism and borderline tendencies as compared to graduate students. Implications, limitations and suggestions for further research had also been discussed.