The Relationship Between Dual Filial Piety and Mental Disorders and Symptoms Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review of Quantitative and Qualitative Studies

Abstract

Filial piety, a core value in Chinese culture, emphasizes the importance of children showing respect, obedience, and care toward their parents. The dual filial piety model distinguishes between reciprocal filial piety, associated with love and care, and authoritarian filial piety, associated with hierarchy. This study systematically reviewed the associations between dual filial piety and mental disorders and symptoms. The authors reviewed 17 studies among Chinese and Korean adolescents published between 2004 and 2022 on filial piety and mental disorders/symptoms and distinguished reciprocal filial piety and authoritarian filial piety based on the dual filial piety model. Meta-analyses based on quantitative analyses were also conducted to examine the relationship between dual filial piety and depression/anxiety. The results indicate that reciprocal filial piety is negatively associated with mental disorders/symptoms, including depression, anxiety, aggression, deviant behaviors, internet addiction, self-harm and eating disorders. Conversely, authoritarian filial piety is not related to mental disorders/symptoms but is negatively associated with suicide and positively associated with eating disorders. Based on the results, it is evident that filial piety has a significant relationship with various mental disorders and symptoms and that different forms of filial piety may have distinct associations with mental health.