I Feel Good Because I Give My Parents Allowance: The Association Between Filial Piety And Positive Mental Health In Singapore

Abstract

Introduction: The influence of filial piety, a Confucian philosophy, on individuals’ lives has been increasingly examined within the modern context of Eastern societies, revealing both benefits and disadvantages to mental health and well-being. However, no studies have examined the association between filial piety and positive mental health of individuals within Singapore. As such, this study aimed to address this research gap. Methods: A total of 272 participants (Mage = 30.0, SD = 7.7 years) were recruited from Singapore through convenience and snowball sampling. Participants completed an online survey which measured their filial piety beliefs and PMH. Multiple hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted. Results: Individuals endorsing both reciprocal and authoritarian filial piety beliefs reported greater levels of overall positive mental health. Specifically, out of the positive mental health subscales, reciprocal filial piety positively predicted participants’ level of general coping, emotional support, interpersonal skills, and personal growth and autonomy. Authoritarian filial piety positively predicted participants’ extent of spirituality. No significant relationship was found between filial piety and global affect. Discussion: The endorsements of reciprocal and authoritarian filial piety by Singaporeans align with the dual filial piety model, which proposes a non-dichotomous stance where individuals are suggested to simultaneously experience both types of filial piety. The positive relationship between reciprocal filial piety and overall positive mental health contributes to existing research by exemplifying the similarities between Singaporeans and other East Asian countries. Additionally, the positive relationship between authoritarian filial piety and overall positive mental health clarifies the mixed literature around authoritarian filial piety and its association with well-being. A deeper understanding of the relationship between filial piety and positive mental health encourages practitioners to adopt a multicultural perspective within their clinical practice, thereby promoting better clinical outcomes.