The Influence of Dual Filial Piety on the Construction of Adult Identity:A Latent Profile Analysis on the Emerging Adulthood
With the development of society,the traditional definition of adulthood is constantly changing.It has become a common phenomenon for young people to delay entering adulthood.Emerging adulthood refers to the period between 18 to 29 years old when individuals are legal adults in terms of physiology and age but not in terms of cultural and social perspectives.The most important feature of this stage is to explore and achieve the adulthood tasks and to make identity construction.Previous theories on the development of individual identity have not discussed the specific tasks of adulthood.However,there are differences in identity construction by individual's understanding and attainment of the adult mark,and which will be affected by social culture.Hence,the current research attempted to explore the potential types and characteristics of adult identity construction by emerging adult groups in China.Parents often play an important role in the development of individuals.Filial piety is the operation principle of the Chinese family relationship,and different types of filial piety may affect children's development differently.Reciprocal filial piety families emphasize equality and respect,which can promote the development of their children's autonomy and independence.Authoritarian filial piety families emphasize children's authority obedience,which will inhibit individual autonomy.Therefore,the current research also attempted to explore the influence of filial piety on the construction of adult identity.This research used the"person-centered perspective"to explore the potential types and characteristics of the emerging adult group's identity construction towards adulthood,and also examined the influence of dual filial piety on the identity construction of adulthood.This study recruited 1040 participants aged 18~29 in the early stage of adulthood to complete the self-report questionnaire.The survey of this study consists of three parts:the Markers of Adulthood Scale(divided into two parts:Assessment of understanding of adult markers and assessment of whether they are reached),the Dual Filial Piety Scale,and demographic variables(gender,age,education,whether students,work conditions,and family socioeconomic status).In terms of data analysis,Mplus8.0 software was used for confirmatory factor analysis and latent profile analysis,and SPSS 18.0 software was used for variance analysis and multiple logistics regression analysis.The results of the latent profile analysis showed that identity construction towards adulthood of emerging adults was divided into three potential categories:diffused(20.72%),moratorium(47.80%),and transitional(31.48%).Individuals from families with higher socioeconomic status and older age were more likely to be distributed in the transitional type.Individuals of reciprocal filial piety were more likely to be distributed in the moratorium type and the transitional type,while the authoritative filial piety was more likely to be distributed in the transitional type,followed by the diffused type,and finally the moratorium type.Specifically,reciprocal filial piety would make individuals'views on markers of adult more complex,and authoritative filial piety may not only promote the construction of adult identity,but also lead to confusion in the construction of adult identity.The results of the research reveal the potential types and characteristics of the adult identity construction of the early adulthood groups and emphasize the importance of family filial piety categories,which provides important enlightenment for helping adolescents make a healthy transition to adulthood.