Prosocial Parent-to-Peer Path Model for South Korean School-Aged Children

Abstract

This study aims to examine a theoretical model of “prosocial parent-to-peer pathways” using nationally representative data of school-aged children in South Korea. The association between parent-child relationships and positive peer relationships (i.e., peer acceptance and friendships) was examined with a focus on the mediating roles of children’s prosocial orientation (i.e., empathy and altruism). Structural equation modeling was performed to analyze the 2013 South Korean subsample (grades 3 and 5; n = 4690) of the International Survey of Children’s Well-Being. The model fits the data adequately (χ2 = 3025.84 (df = 323, p < .001), CFI = .96, TLI = .94, RMSEA = .04, SRMR = .03) and explains 29.3% of variance in peer acceptance and 64.6% in friendship quality. The total effects of parent-child relationships on peer acceptance (β = .41, p < .01) and friendship quality (β = .52, p < .01) were positive, controlling for other individual and family characteristics. Children’s empathy and altruism were found to partially mediate the effects of parent-child relationships on peer acceptance (β = .11, p < .01) and friendship quality (β = .31, p < .01). Implications and limitations of the study will be discussed.