The influence of dual filial piety consciousness on mental health in Chinese youths is moderated by mobility and mediated by bidirectional intergenerational support

Abstract

Abstract Background: Previous studies have found the influence on mental health by filial piety (FP) among young people; however, there has been a lack of attention to the interactions between their dual FP (authoritarian vs. reciprocal) consciousness, bidirectional intergenerational support, and mental health. In the Chinese context, it is also unclear whether these interactions vary according to youth mobility (local vs. migrant). This study therefore explored the triple interactions between dual FP consciousness, bidirectional intergenerational support, and mental health in young people, and studied the mediating effect of bidirectional intergenerational support and the moderating effect of youth mobility therein. Methods: Using the 2017 Chinese General Social Survey statistics, we defined young people as those aged 15-44 years. The final effective sample consisted of 1,400 individuals. Software SPSS v22.0 was used to organize the data and to conduct descriptive and correlation analyses, and SPSS PROCESS Macro v3.4.1 to test the mediating and moderating effects. Results: With such variables as gender, age, ethnicity, education level, marital status, household registration type, personal annual income, and number of children controlled, we found that young people’s dual FP (authoritarian vs. reciprocal) consciousness and mental health were positively correlated (r = 0.281, p < 0.01; r = 0.406, p < 0.01, respectively). Higher dual FP consciousness corresponded to better mental health, and the influence of dual FP consciousness on mental health was mediated by bidirectional intergenerational support and moderated by mobility. Conclusions: Our findings provide theoretical insights and practical pointers for improving the youth mental health. First, theoretical propaganda and practical activities should be combined to strengthen the publicity of the filial culture. Second, the role of family members should be given full play, because intergenerational mutual support helps maximize the interests of the family as a whole. Finally, young migrants should be guided vigorously to participate in community activities themed on “FP and respect for the elderly” to improve their FP consciousness. By forging harmonious intergenerational relationships, their mental health can be expected to improve.