The Effect of Fathering on Filial Piety Among Adolescents in Malaysia

Abstract

The rise in number of old age institutions and the deterioration in filial piety values have drawn global attention from psychologists. However, little is known about the filial piety status in multiracial nations and the antecedents of filial piety. The primary objectives of this study were to examine: 1) the level of fathering dimensions (involvement, rejection, structure, chaos, autonomy support and coercion), 2) the relationships between the six fathering dimensions and filial piety (reciprocal and authoritarian), and 3) the impact of fathering on reciprocal and authoritarian filial piety. Total of 606 secondary school students aged between 14 to 16 years old from various ethnics in three different states in Malaysia, participated in the current study. Respondents completed a survey questionnaire which comprised of Filial Piety Scale and Parents as Social Context Questionnaire - Child Report. The key findings of the study were: 1) positive fathering dimensions is higher than negative fathering dimensions, 2) all fathering dimensions significantly correlated with reciprocal filial piety, and 3) six fathering dimensions influenced both reciprocal and authoritarian filial piety except the relationship between rejection and coercion and authoritarian filial piety. The present study highlights the importance of father’s role in cultivating family values and filial piety in adolescents’ life. Hence, the role of father is not only the breadwinner of the family but as the enhancer and preserver of the family traditions and virtues.