The relationship between parent-child relationship and prosocial behavior among Chinese children: the mediating roles of labor participation and sense of social responsibility

Abstract Purpose: Based on ecosystem theory, this study explores the relationship between parent-child relationships and prosocial behavior among primary students, as well as the mediating effect of labor participation and sense of social responsibility. Methods: A total of 810 primary students completed a self-report questionnaire including the Chinese Parent Intimacy Questionnaire-child (PIQ-C), Labor Participation Questionnaire (LPQ), Social Responsibility Status Questionnaire (SRSQ), and Chinese Prosocial Tendencies Measure (PTM-C). For mediation exploration, a serial mediation model was utilized, and the Bootstrap method was employed to test the significance of these mediation effects. Results: Parent-child relationship demonstrates a positive correlation with prosocial behavior. Through the father-child relationship, three significant mediation pathways were identified that directly affect prosocial behavior: (1) labor participation (2) sense of social responsibility (3) labor participation and sense of social responsibility. Research finds that father-child relationships tend to directly influence children's behavioral patterns, while mother-child relationships may have a more structural effect on children's social-emotional functioning. Conclusion: Labor participation and sense of social responsibility were identified as serial mediators in the relationship between parent-child relationships and prosocial behaviors.