ABSTRACT
Objective
This study explores how parental meta-emotion philosophy (PMEP) is associated with adolescent mental health via the mediating role of filial piety within Chinese families.
Background
Adolescent mental health has emerged as a public concern in China. Prior research has established links between PMEP and children’s psychosocial adjustment across developmental stages. However, the underlying mechanisms between PMEP and adolescent mental health in Chinese society remain unexplored.
Method
A total of 241 parent–adolescent dyads (N = 482) were recruited in mainland China. Parental self-reported PMEP and adolescent-reported filial piety and mental health were analyzed using structural equation modeling.
Results
Adolescents of parents with emotion-coaching (EC) philosophy reported high levels of both reciprocal and authoritarian filial piety. Conversely, those whose parents endorsed emotion-dismissing (ED) philosophy exhibited high levels of authoritarian filial piety and anxiety/depression symptoms. Reciprocal filial piety mediated the path from parental EC philosophy to adolescent anxiety/depression, whereas authoritarian filial piety mediated the association between ED philosophy and adolescent anxiety/depression.
Conclusion
Distinct PMEPs are associated with variations in filial piety endorsement among Chinese adolescents, which are in turn related to differences in their mental health outcomes.
Implications
The findings underscore the value of adopting a cultural lens to understand the role of PMEP in the development of adolescent mental health.