The Mechanism of Family Functioning Influencing Adolescents’ Prosocial Behavior: The Mediating Roles of Belief in a Just Word and Interpersonal Trust
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61173/60ryzx06Keywords:
family functioning, prosocial behavior, belief in a just word, interpersonal trustAbstract
This study examines the mediating mechanisms linking family functioning to prosocial behavior, focusing specifically on the roles of belief in a just world (BJW) and interpersonal trust (IT). Given the importance of prosocial behavior for social integration and mental health, and the established influence of family systems, understanding the underlying pathways is crucial. The study employed a cross-sectional design with 625 Chinese university students. Participants completed standardized questionnaires measuring family functioning, BJW, IT, and prosocial tendencies. Data analysis utilized correlation analysis and Hayes’ PROCESS macro for mediation testing (Model 6, 5000 bootstraps). Results confirmed a significant positive relationship between family functioning and prosocial behavior. Crucially, both BJW and IT served as significant individual mediators. Furthermore, a significant chain mediation pathway was identified: family functioning enhanced BJW, which subsequently increased IT, ultimately leading to higher levels of prosocial behavior. These findings illuminate the complex cognitive processes through which family environments foster prosocial development, highlighting the sequential roles of world-justice beliefs and interpersonal trust. This research provides valuable insights for designing familyfocused interventions and educational programs aimed at promoting adolescent social adaptation.
References
[1] Carlo, G., Mestre, M. V., McGinley, M. M., Tur‐Porcar, A., Samper, P., & Opal, D. (2014). The protective role of prosocial behaviors on antisocial behaviors: The mediating effects of deviant peer affiliation. Journal of Adolescence, 37(4), 359–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.02.009
[2] Lin, J., Xu, B., Yang, Y., Zhang, Q., & Kou, Y. (2024). Network analysis and core dimensions of adolescent prosocial behavior. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 56(9), 1252–1265. https:// doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1041.2024.01252
[3] Longobardi, C., Settanni, M., Lin, S., & Fabris, M. A. (2021). Student–teacher relationship quality and prosocial behaviour: The mediating role of academic achievement and a positive attitude towards school. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 91(2), 547–562. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjep.12378
[4] Beavers, R., & Hampson, R. B. (2000). The Beavers systems model of family functioning. Journal of Family Therapy, 22(2), 128–143. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6427.00143
[5] Jiang, S., Liu, R., Jiang, R., Hong, W., & Jin, F. (2018). Family functioning and bullying victimization: Effects of extraversion and problem behaviors. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 26(5), 1006–1010. https://doi.org/10.16128/ j.cnki.1005-3611.2018.05.036
[6] Jaureguizar, J., Ibabe, I., & Straus, M. A. (2013). Violent and prosocial behavior by adolescents toward parents and teachers in a community sample. Psychology in the Schools, 50(5), 451– 470. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.21685
[7] Hu, N., Deng, L., Zhang, J., Fang, X., Chen, L., & Mei, H. (2009). A longitudinal study of the relationship between family functioning and adolescent problematic behaviors. Psychological Development and Education, 25(4), 93–100. https://devpsy.bnu. edu.cn/CN/Y2009/V25/I4/93
[8] Wang, B., Tian, L., & Dong, X. (2018). The relationship between family functioning and adolescent negative risktaking behavior: A moderated mediating model. Psychological Development and Education, 34(2), 146–154. https://doi. org/10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2018.02.03
[9] Yuan, Z., Li, W., Li, Z., Song, S., Xie, R., & Ding, W. (2022). The association between family function and prosocial behavior of left-behind children: The mediating role of empathy. Chinese Journal of Applied Psychology, 28(6), 500–506. https://doi. org/10.3969/j.issn.1006-6020.2022.06.002
[10] Xu, Y., Zhang, H., & Liu, Y. (2024). A moderated mediation effects of belief in a just world, family socioeconomic status and cognitive reappraisal on adolescent empathy. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 32(5), 1071–1074. https://doi. org/10.16128/j.cnki.1005-3611.2024.05.022
[11] Hafer, C. L., & Correy, B. L. (1999). Mediators of the relation between beliefs in a just world and emotional responses to negative outcomes. Social Justice Research, 12(3), 189–204. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022144317302
[12] You, Z., Guo, Y., Zhang, L., & Li, X. (2025). The relationship between interparental conflict and prosocial behavior in adolescents: The role of interpersonal trust and empathy. Psychological Development and Education, 41(1), 51– 59. https://doi.org/10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2025.01.06
[13] Zhang, W., Chen, Y., & Zhu, L. (2023). “Attraction of the like”: The influence of peer’s donation choice on prosocial behavior of adolescents and the role of the belief in a just world. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 55(9), 1453–1464. https://doi. org/10.3724/SP.J.1041.2023.01453
[14] Tian, Y., Song, Y., Zhou, Z., Huang, C., & Zhao, Y. (2019). A multilevel analysis of the developmental trajectory of belief in a just world in adolescence and its predictors. Psychological Development and Education, 35(2), 146–156. https://doi. org/10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2019.02.03
[15] Dalbert, C. (1999). The world is more just for me than generally: About the personal belief in a just world scale’s validity. Social Justice Research, 12(2), 79–98. https://doi. org/10.1023/A:1022091609047
[16] Lerner, M. J. (1980). The belief in a just world. Springer US. http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-1-4899-0448-5
[17] Caroli, M. E. D., & Sagone, E. (2014). Belief in a just world, prosocial behavior, and moral disengagement in adolescence. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 116, 596–600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.263
[18] Wu, J. B., Hom, P. W., Tetrick, L. E., Shore, L. M., Jia, L., Li, C., & Song, L. J. (2006). The norm of reciprocity: Scale development and validation in the Chinese context. Management and Organization Review, 2(3), 377–402. https:// doi.org/10.1111/j.1740-8784.2006.00047.x Dean&Francis ISSN 2959-6149
[19] Yang, L., Du, W., Fang, P., & Jiang, Y. (2024). Influence of social emotion on prosocial behavior: The mediating effect of interpersonal trust and the moderating effect of social support. Psychological Research, 17(2), 132–139. https://doi. org/10.19988/j.cnki.issn.2095-1159.2024.02.005
[20] Yi, M., Tian, Y., Ming, H., Huang, S., & Xin, Z. (2019). Relationship between belief in a just world and social responsibility among undergraduate students: The mediating role of interpersonal trust and the gender difference. Psychological Development and Education, 35(3), 282–287. https://doi. org/10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2019.03.04
[21] Fei, L., Shen, Q., Zheng, Y., Zhao, J., Jiang, S., Wang, L., & Wang, X. (1991). Preliminary evaluation of Chinese version of FACES II and FES: Comparison of normal families and families of schizophrenic patients. Chinese Mental Health Journal, 5(5), 198–202. https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbcode= CJFQ&dbname=CJFD9093&filename=ZXWS199105001
[22] Su, Z., Zhang, D., & Wang, X. (2012). Revising of belief in a just world scale and its reliability and validity in college students. Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science, 21(6), 561–563. https://doi.org/10.3760/cma. j.issn.1674-6554.2012.06.026
[23] Rotter, J. B. (1967). A new scale for the measurement of interpersonal trust. Journal of Personality, 35(4), 651–665. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1967.tb01454.x
[24] Kou, Y., Hong, H., Tan, C., & Li, L. (2007). Revisioning prosocial tendencies measure for adolescent. Psychological Development and Education, 23(1), 112–117. https://doi. org/10.3969/j.issn.1001-4918.2007.01.020
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 by the authors.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
