The mediating role of creative self-concept in the relation between filial piety and general mental health

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the mediating role of creative self-concept in the relationship between filial piety beliefs and general mental health (including social function and depression/anxiety) among Chinese high school students. We conducted the survey among Taiwanese high school students and employed structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The results showed that reciprocal filial piety (RFP) was associated with higher creative self-efficacy, which was subsequently linked to better social function and less anxiety/depression. However, RFP was associated with higher creative personal identity, which in turn contributed to worse social function and more anxiety/depression. Authoritarian filial piety (AFP) was not associated with any dimension of creative self-concept. In addition, AFP was directly linked to anxiety and depression. This study's findings suggested that within a Chinese background, RFP can be linked to the development of individuals’ creative self-concept. However, a creative personal identity needs to be carefully handled because it may be related to more challenges for teenagers with social adaptation.