Parental Autonomy Support and Filial Behavior: Does This Relationship Differ Between Male and Female Adolescents

Abstract

Filial behavior is one of the topmost cultural practices in the majority of Asian families. Parents play a vital role in inculcating filial practices to the young generation. Although filial piety is implanted equally regardless of sex in childhood, gender differences in the strength of filial engagement have been documented. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the moderation effect of sex in the relationship between parental autonomy support and filial behavior among multiethnic adolescents in Malaysia. Cross-sectional design with cluster sampling method was used to recruit the respondents of the study. A total of 562 schoolgoing adolescents aged 13 to 17 years old from three cities in Peninsular Malaysia participated in this study. The results indicated a significant positive relationship between parents’ autonomy support and filial behavior. Male adolescents received greater autonomy support from their parents than female adolescents. Significant moderation effect of sex was only found in the relationship between fathers’ autonomy support and filial behavior but not on mothers’ autonomy support. In order to enhance and disseminate filial piety, the role of fathers’ autonomy support on different sex of adolescents need to be considered in future studies.