Role of Family Environment in the Internalization of Sustainable Personal Values among Young Adults

Objectives: The present study aimed to explore the relationship between the family environment at home and personal values of Indian young adults. Further, it also examined the role of family environment in predicting and influencing the development of their values. Methods: Employing a cross-sectional study design, data were collected from 385 college students (18-20 years old) during April 2023-May 2024, residing in the Indian cities of Ahmedabad and Jaipur through a survey method. The participants were administered a demographic information sheet, the family environment scale, and the twenty-item value inventory to assess the family environment and personal values of the young adults. The data was analysed for descriptive statistics, bivariate correlation, and regression analysis. Findings: The results revealed significant relationships between the family environment and the values of the participants. For instance, benevolence showed a positive, but weak, correlation with all dimensions of the family environment, specifically cohesion (r = 0.13, p < 0.05), expressiveness (r = 0.21, p < 0.01), etc. Similarly, values of universalism and self-direction showed a positive and significant correlation with all the dimensions of family environment. Regression analysis indicated that a cohesive and caring family environment, which provides enough space for expression of emotions, plays a pivotal role in nurturing values such as benevolence (adj. R2= .148), having a sense of self-direction (adj. R2= .208), universalism (adj. R2= .131), and security (adj. R2= .155) among young adults. Novelty: The study demonstrates how different aspects of family, and its environment can either support or discourage the development of certain values. It offers valuable insights that are relevant to the real-life challenges faced by young adults in the fast-changing social landscape.