The Effects of Parental Empathy Perceived by Adolescents on Quality of Adolescents’ Peer Relations: Dual Mediating Effects of Self-Acceptance and Empathy

Objectives: This study examined the dual mediating effect of adolescents' self-acceptance and empathy ability on the relationship between perceived parental empathy and the quality of adolescents’ peer relationships.Methods: We measured parental empathy using a scale developed by Y.-J. Jo (2010a) and modified by M. J. Kim (2017). Peer relationship quality was assessed using a scale by Bae, Hyeon, & Hong (2015) and revised by D. Lee (2019). Self-acceptance was measured with a scale by Chamberlain and Haaga (2001), modified by Y.-H. Kim (2008), and empathy was assessed using Davis’s (1980) Interpersonal Reaction Index, adapted by S. H. Park (1996). Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0, including descriptive statistics, t-tests, Pearson’s correlation, and PROCESS Macro Model 6 with bootstrapping.Results: Significant correlations were found between parental empathy, peer relationship quality, self-acceptance, and empathy. Maternal empathy influenced peer relationship quality through self-acceptance and empathy, with a significant sequential dual mediating effect. In contrast, paternal empathy affected peer relationships separately through self-acceptance and empathy, but no sequential dual mediating effect was observed.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the quality of peer relationships is closely linked to parental empathy, self-acceptance, and empathy. These results highlight the need for programs to improve adolescents’ selfacceptance and empathy, particularly in counseling and school environments.