FOCUSING ON FILIAL PIETY: A SCOPING REVIEW STUDY FROM CULTURAL DIFFERENCES TO EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v6i3.561Keywords:
filial piety, authoritarian filial piety, Reciprocal filial piety, filial piety educationAbstract
Filial piety, a foundational virtue deeply rooted in human history, remains a culturally significant yet often underappreciated concept in contemporary discourse. This study examines the practices and support mechanisms of filial piety within Chinese and overseas Chinese families, emphasizing its multifaceted nature. Grounded in the dual filial piety model, the research distinguishes between reciprocal filial piety, characterized by mutual care and emotional bonds; and authoritarian filial piety, which emphasizes obedience and hierarchical family roles. Findings reveal that filial piety norms are dynamic, evolving alongside societal, cultural, and generational shifts. While filial piety fosters family cohesion, intergenerational support, and emotional fulfillment, it may also impose psychological burdens or conflict with modern values of individualism and autonomy. Striking a balance between upholding filial duties and respecting personal freedom emerges as a critical challenge. Methodologically, this scoping review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Three databases: Web of Science (WOS), Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI); were systematically searched to identify relevant literature. After screening, 13 studies met the inclusion criteria, offering insights into filial piety’s diverse manifestations and impacts. The review underscores the need for culturally sensitive approaches to filial piety, advocating for policies and educational initiatives that harmonize traditional values with contemporary lifestyles. Further research should explore cross-cultural comparisons and longitudinal effects on family well-being.
References
[1] Bedford, O., Yeh, K.H. (2021): Evolution of the conceptualization of filial piety in the global context: From skin to skeleton. – Frontiers in Psychology 12: 14p.
[2] Bedford, O., Yeh, K.H., Tan, C.S. (2022): Filial piety as a universal construct: From cultural norms to psychological motivations. – Frontiers in Psychology 13: 2p.
[3] Chen, W.W., Wong, Y.L. (2014): What my parents make me believe in learning: The role of filial piety in Hong Kong students' motivation and academic achievement. – International Journal of Psychology 49(4): 249-256.
[4] Cheung, S.L., Barf, H., Cummings, S., Hobbelen, H., Chui, E. W.T. (2020): Changing shapes of care: Expressions of filial piety among second-generation Chinese in the Netherlands. – Journal of Family Issues 41(12): 2400-2422.
[5] Ha, T.T.K., Różycka-Tran, J., Jurek, P., Thu, T.H., Van Hao, L. (2020): Eastern perspectives on roles, responsibilities and filial piety: A case study. – Health: Psychology Report 8(3): 263-272.
[6] Khalaila, R. (2022): Does emotional empathy moderate the association between caregiver burden and burnout among Arab family caregivers of older relatives? – Health & Social Care in the Community 30(5): e2478-e2488.
[7] Kiel, Y. (2014): Filial Piety and Educational Commitments: Talmudic Conflict in Its Cultural Context. – Jewish Studies Quarterly 21(4): 297-327.
[8] Lam, J.S.H., Links, P.S., Eynan, R., Shera, W., Tsang, A.K.T., Law, S., Fung, W.L.A., Zhang, X., Liu, P., Zaheer, J. (2022): “I thought that I had to be alive to repay my parents”: Filial piety as a risk and protective factor for suicidal behavior in a qualitative study of Chinese women. – Transcultural Psychiatry 59(1): 13-27.
[9] Li, J., Liu, H., Van Der Heijden, B., Guo, Z. (2021): The Role of Filial Piety in the Relationships between Work Stress, Job Satisfaction, and Turnover Intention: A Moderated Mediation Model. – International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18: 714-715.
[10] Lim, A.J., Lau, C.Y.H., Chen, C.Y. (2022): Applying the Dual Filial Piety Model in the United States: A Comparison of Filial Piety Between Asian Americans and Caucasian Americans. – Frontiers in Psychology 12: 786609-786610.
[11] Lu, M.F. (2024): Friendship and filial piety in Ming Neo-Confucianism. – Diogenes 65(1): 69-86.
[12] Pek, L.S., Khusni, H.K., Yob, F.S.C., Zaid, N.N.M., Ne’matullah, K.F., Mee, R.W.M., Azli, N.S.S. (2024): Children’s literacy skills development through non-formal education: a scoping review. – Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn) 18(4): 1505-1513.
[13] Ren, P., Emiliussen, J., Christiansen, R., Engelsen, S., Klausen, S.H. (2022): Filial piety, generativity and older adults’ wellbeing and loneliness in Denmark and China. – Applied Research in Quality of Life 17(5): 3069-3090.
[14] Różycka-Tran, J., Jurek, P., Truong, T.K.H., Olech, M. (2021): The implications of filial piety in study engagement and study satisfaction: a polish-Vietnamese comparison. – Frontiers in Psychology 11: 9p.
[15] Sugianto, D., Liem, A., Sinaga, N. (2024): Reliability and validity of the Indonesian version of the Dual Filial Piety Scale. – Jurnal Psikologi Ulayat 11(1): 109-121.
[16] Sun, P., Fan, X., Sun, Y., Jiang, H., Wang, L. (2019): Relations between dual filial piety and life satisfaction: the mediating roles of individuating autonomy and relating autonomy. – Frontiers in Psychology 10: 9p.
[17] Sung, K.T. (1995): Measures and dimensions of filial piety in Korea. – The Gerontologist 35(2): 240-247.
[18] Tsao, W.C., Yeh, K.H. (2019): Indigenous implications and global applications of the dual filial piety model: a psychological re-conceptualization of ‘xiao’. – In Asian Indigenous Psychologies in the Global Context 24p.
[19] Wangmo, T. (2010): Changing expectations of care among older Tibetans living in India and Switzerland. – Ageing and Society 30(5): 879-896.
[20] Wu, C.W., Yeh, K.H. (2021): Self-Sacrifice Is Not the Only Way to Practice Filial Piety for Chinese Adolescents in Conflict With Their Parents. Parent. – Frontiers in Psychology 12: 661335-661336.
[21] Yeh, K.H., Bedford, O. (2003): A test of the dual filial piety model. – Asian Journal of Social Psychology 6(3): 215-228.
[22] Yuan, S., Jiang, R., Liu, J. (2024): Impact of contemporary filial piety on the voluntary service behaviour of adolescents: a moderated mediation framework. – Current Psychology 43(9): 8075-8084.
[23] Zhang, L., Han, Y., Ma, Y., Xu, Z., Fang, Y. (2021): Eastern perspectives on roles, responsibilities and filial piety: a case study. – Nursing Ethics 28(3): 327-345.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 YAN FANG WANG, MUHAMMAD DAOH, NUR MUNEERAH KASIM, LIM SEONG PEK

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.