No abstract

Emotion regulation (ER) strategies have a clear impact on mental health outcomes. In 2 studies (N = 695, N = 433) we investigated gender differences in the use of 2 ER strategies (reappraisal and suppression) to handle parent-child conflict in Taiwanese adolescents. We also identified the implications of these differences for some negative emotions (self-blame and resentment) and internalizing problems (psychosomatic symptoms and social withdrawal). Results of the correlation analyses in both studies indicated that reappraisal and suppression ER strategies are positively correlated only in male Taiwanese adolescents. Hierarchical regression analyses in the second study confirmed that reappraisal buffers male but not female adolescents against the negative effects of suppression on the arousal of negative affect and internalizing problems.

Reciprocal and authoritarian filial piety beliefs have been shown to have distinct relationships with psychological development and well-being. Such beliefs provide an important foundation for parent–child relationships in Chinese families. However, the literature remains unclear about the mechanism through which filial piety contributes to individuals’ well-being. Because researchers have identified cognitive flexibility as a crucial factor in family contexts and demonstrated that it is associated with individuals’ well-being, the present study aimed to examine the mediating role of cognitive flexibility in the relationship between filial piety and Chinese young adults’general mental health (i.e., self-esteem, life satisfaction, and mental wellness). A total of 455 college students from Taiwan participated in the survey. Structural equation modeling yielded the following findings: (a) Reciprocal filial piety was positively associated with cognitive flexibility and authoritarian filial piety was negatively associated with cognitive flexibility; (b) cognitive flexibility contributed positively to life satisfaction, self-esteem, and mental wellness; and (c) cognitive flexibility mediated the relationship of the two filial piety beliefs with life satisfaction, self-esteem, and mental wellness. These findings indicate that the two filial piety beliefs, which reflect different parent–child relationship quality nurtured in family contexts, could relate to individuals’ flexible mindsets.

Belief in the benevolence and moral legitimacy of leaders in central government is theorized as a form of cultural capital consistent with the hierarchical relationalism of East Asian societies with Confucian roots. A reliable measure of benevolent authority beliefs (BAB) is introduced, and its convergent and discriminant validity relative to established measures of institutional trust are established. Its socialization as part of the political culture of Taiwan was examined among high school adolescents aged 13-16. Significant gender differences were found inconsistent with traditional patriarchy. Regression analyses showed that within the relationship with mothers but not fathers, adolescents associated higher reciprocal filial piety, authoritative parenting, and authentic (positive) affect with higher BAB. For daughters but not sons, reciprocal filial piety, authoritative parenting style, and authentic (positive) affect in the relationship with their father were positively associated with BAB. Affect-based transfer from parent-child relationships rather than authoritarian obligations based on rote learning was a key socializing factor in a contemporary Chinese society.

The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating role of regulatory focus in the relation between filial piety beliefs and life outcomes, including life satisfaction and psychological distress. A total of 1,431 Taiwanese youths, aged 15 through 24 years, were recruited in the study. Results of structural equation modelling indicated that reciprocal filial piety can be associated with stronger promotion regulatory focus, which in turn contributes to greater life satisfaction and less psychological distress. In addition, reciprocal filial piety and authoritarian filial piety can relate to stronger prevention regulatory focus, which subsequently links to lower life satisfaction and more psychological distress.