Parenting and Chinese Adolescents’ Multidimensional Prosocial Behaviors: The Moderating Role of Sympathy

Abstract

In this study, the prediction of maternal and paternal parenting behaviors to 1527 (59.27% female, age ranged between 11 and 18 years old) Chinese adolescents’ multidimensional prosocial behaviors, and the moderating role of adolescents’ sympathy were examined. Data were collected in 2019. Adolescents reported their perceived parenting practices, their own sympathy and prosocial tendencies using online questionnaires. Results from path models in Mplus indicated care and autonomy granting of both parents were uniquely and positively associated with adolescents’ various prosocial behaviors. Paternal control was also positively associated with adolescents’ public prosocial behaviors. Further, adolescents’ sympathy moderated the association between paternal autonomy granting to adolescents’ altruistic prosocial behaviors, as well as between paternal control and adolescents’ compliant and emotional prosocial behaviors. Our study contributed novel information regarding the roles of maternal and paternal parenting and sympathy in Chinese adolescents’ diverse prosocial behaviors. Replications with longitudinal design are needed.