Abstract
The present research aimed at studying the impact of parental attachment on emotional empathy of
adolescents. It was also intended to determine the role of varying demographics like gender and family
system in relation to parental attachment and emotional empathy. The sample consisted of 300 adolescents
(150 boys and 150 girls) of government schools with age range 14-17 years. Parental Attachment
Questionnaire (Azam, 2006) and Emotional Empathy Scale (Ashraf, 2004) were used to assess parental
attachment and emotional empathy, respectively. Results showed a significant positive correlation between
parental attachment and emotional empathy. It was also found that girls tend to score high on parental
attachment and emotional empathy. Similarly significant differences were observed along family systems.
Results indicated that adolescents living in nuclear family system exhibited more parental attachment and
emotional empathy than those living in joint family system. Practical implications of the study were
discussed and suggestions for further research were made.
