The mediating role of reciprocal filial piety in the relationship between parental autonomy support and life satisfaction among adolescents in Malaysia

摘要

This study investigated how parental autonomy support influences adolescents' life satisfaction through the mediation effect of reciprocal filial piety. A total of 589 school-going adolescents aged between 13 and 17 years were recruited using the cluster sampling method. The results showed that both paternal and maternal autonomy supports positively correlated with reciprocal filial piety as well as life satisfaction. There was also a positive relationship between reciprocal filial piety and life satisfaction. In addition, the data supported the hypothetical mediation model in which both paternal and maternal autonomy supports are associated with reciprocal filial piety; the gratitude toward parents in turn having a positive link with life satisfaction. The indirect effect of parental support on adolescents' life satisfaction was found evident across gender and the three main ethnic groups in Malaysia. This study not only highlights the positive effects of parental autonomy support on adolescents' filial beliefs and life satisfaction across cultures, but also sheds light on the mechanism of parental support in boosting adolescents' life satisfaction.