Die vorliegende Dissertation untersucht, wie die intergenerationellen Beziehungen im heutigen China ausgestaltet sind und diskutiert ihre Auswirkungen auf die Altersvorsorge. Historisch gesehen war die Rolle des chinesischen Staates bei der Bereitstellung von Altersvorsorge sehr gering, und die Betreuung älterer Menschen wird immer noch hauptsächlich als Familienaufgabe angesehen. Die konfuzianische Norm der filial piety verpflichtet die Kinder im Erwachsenenalter, ihre Eltern finanziell und materiell zu unterstützen sowie sich um die Betreuung zu kümmern und entsprechend Hilfe zu leisten. In den letzten Jahrzehnten wurden jedoch traditionelle chinesische Familiennormen und – bräuche durch den sozioökonomischen, demographischen und kulturellen Wandel infragegestellt. Infolgedessen wird weitgehend ‒sowohl in der wissenschaftlichen Literatur als auch im öffentlichen Diskurs‒ angenommen, dass filial piety und die damit zusammenhängenden Formen der intergenerationellen Familienunterstützung zunehmend an Wert verlieren, was die Frage nach dem Wohlergehen älterer Generationen aufwirft. Im Folgenden betrachte ich drei Hauptaspekte der intergenerationelle Solidarität: strukturelle Solidarität (geografische Nähe), funktionale Solidarität (Pflege und finanzielle Unterstützung) und assoziative Solidarität (sozialer Kontakt) sowie deren Zusammenhänge. Ich argumentiere, dass die beobachteten Muster weder den traditionellen Anforderungen der filial piety entsprechen, noch auf eine Krise der intergenerationellen Familiensolidarität hinweisen. Stattdessen reflektieren sie die pragmatischen Bemühungen der Familien, ihre Beziehungen im Hinblick auf einen raschen Strukturwandel neu zu verhandeln und anzupassen. Allerdings ist die Anpassungsfähigkeit in der chinesischen Gesellschaft nicht gleich verteilt, besonders schwer ist es für sozialschwache Familien, die vergleichsweise schwächere Bindungen zu ihren erwachsenen Kindern haben. / This dissertation assesses the state of intergenerational relations in contemporary China, and discusses its implications for old age security. Historically, the role of the Chinese state in the provision of old age security has been minimal, and caring for older people is primarily seen as a family responsibility. The Confucian norm of filial piety obliges adult children to provide their parents with financial and material support as well physical care and assistance. In recent decades, however, traditional Chinese family norms and customs have been challenged by a number of socio-economic, demographic and cultural changes. As a result there is a widespread belief ‒both in academic literature and in the public discourse‒ that filial piety and related forms of intergenerational family support are on the decline, raising concerns about the well-being of older generations. In this study, I look at three main aspects of intergenerational relations or family solidarity: structural solidarity (proximity), functional solidarity (the provision of care and financial support) and associational solidarity (social contact), as well as their interrelations. Using a nationally representative dataset of Chinese families, I argue that the observed patterns neither correspond to the traditional demands of filial piety, nor indicate a crisis of intergenerational family solidarity. Instead, they reflect families' pragmatic efforts to renegotiate and adapt their relationships in the face of a rapid structural change. The capability to adapt is not equally distributed, however, and it is often the more vulnerable groups that have comparatively weaker ties to adult children.

Esta dissertação de Mestrado integra um estudo de base sobre responsabilidade filial. Teve por objetivo adaptar a etapa qualitativa do instrumento elaborado por pesquisadores canadenses. O processo de adaptação compreendeu as etapas de equivalência conceitual, de itens, equivalência semântica e operacional. A equivalência conceitual e de itens baseou-se na revisão bibliográfica da temática nestes dois contextos e na discussão com um comitê de especialistas. A equivalência semântica abrangeu as etapas de tradução inicial, retradução, comitê de especialistas e pré-teste. A equivalência operacional baseou-se na análise da aplicação do instrumento. O comitê de especialistas, composto por profissionais vinculados à pesquisa, docência e assistência na área de saúde do idoso e saúde coletiva analisou a equivalência conceitual, de itens e semântica, entre a versão em português e o instrumento original. A versão final em português foi aplicada, por meio de pré-teste, a uma amostra de 11 filhos cuidadores de pessoas idosas cadastradas no Programa de Atendimento Domiciliar da Unidade Básica de Saúde Santa Cecília/HCPA, no município de Porto Alegre. A caracterização da amostra que serviu para validar o instrumento indicou que a maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino, com idade entre 40 a 67 anos e divorciada ou separada. As filhas cuidavam da mãe, viúva, com idade entre 71 a 97 anos. Por meio das repostas abertas do instrumento, foi possível estruturar quatro categorias: possibilidade de institucionalização dos pais idosos, expectativa de cuidado, as dificuldades em ser filho cuidador e a responsabilidade filial. A versão em português apresentou uma boa equivalência semântica e os resultados demonstraram que os conceitos e itens utilizados no instrumento canadense são aplicáveis à realidade local. / The following Master’s Degree thesis conveys a basis study on filial responsibility. It aimed to adapt the qualitative step of the instrument elaborated by Canadian researchers. The adaptation process approached the steps of conceptual, items, as well as semantic and operational equivalence. Conceptual equivalence and items equivalence was based on the bibliographical research of the theme in these two contexts and in the discussion of a specialists committee. The semantic equivalence approached the steps of initial translation, retranslation, specialists committee, and pretest. The operational equivalence was basically applying the instrument. The committee has analyzed the conceptual items, and semantic equivalence; between the version in Portuguese and the original instrument, resulting in the reformulation of some items, making them clearer and of an easier comprehension. The final version in Portuguese was applied, through a pretest, to a sample of 11 elderly caregivers registered in the Homecare Service Program in the Santa Cecília Basic Health Ward HCPA, in the city of Porto Alegre. The characterization of the sample that served to validate the instrument indicated that most of the participants were female, at age ranging from 40 to 67 years old, divorced or separated; which took care of the mother, widow, at age from 71 to 97 years old. From the answers obtained in the open questions, it was possible to structure four categories: feasibility of institutionalization of elderly parents, expectation of care from caregivers in relation to their children, filial responsibility, and difficulties in being a caregiver. The version in Portuguese presented a good semantic equivalence and the results displayed the fact that concepts and items used in the Canadian instrument are applicable to the local reality. / Esta tesis de Maestría hace parte de un estudio de base acerca de la responsabilidad filial. Tuvo por objetivo adaptar la etapa cualitativa del instrumento elaborado por investigadores canadienses. El proceso de adaptación abarcó las etapas de equivalencia conceptual, de ítems y de equivalencia semántica. La equivalencia conceptual y de ítems se basó en la revisión bibliográfica de la temática en estos dos entornos y en la discusión con un comité de expertos. La equivalencia semántica abarcó las etapas de traducción inicial, de retraducción, del comité de expertos y del pre-test. La equivalencia operacional se basó en el análisis de la aplicación del instrumento. El comité de expertos, compuesto por profesionales vinculados a la investigación, docencia y asistencia en el área de salud del anciano y salud colectiva analizó la equivalencia conceptual, de ítems y semántica, entre la versión en portugués y el instrumento original. La versión final en portugués fue aplicada, por medio del pre-test, a una muestra de 11 hijos cuidadores de personas ancianas registradas en el Programa de Atendimento Domiciliar da Unidade Básica de Saúde Santa Cecília/HCPA, en la ciudad de Porto Alegre. La caracterización de la muestra que sirvió para validar el instrumento indicó que la mayoría de los participantes era del sexo femenino, con edad entre 40 a 67 años y divorciada o separada. Las hijas cuidaban de la madre, viuda, con edad entre 71 a 97 años. Por medio de las respuestas abiertas del instrumento, fue posible estructurar cuatro categorías: posibilidad de institucionalización de los padres ancianos, expectativas de cuidado, las dificultades en ser hijo cuidador y la responsabilidad filial. La versión en portugués presentó una buena equivalencia semántica y los resultados demostraron que los conceptos e ítems utilizados en el instrumento canadiense son aplicables a la realidad local.

Natural and sexual selection and sexual conflict are forces shaping the evolution of reproductive behaviour, while constrained by factors like environment, physiology and life-history trade-offs. Parental care is costly both in terms of time and energy. In fish, filial cannibalism is a strategy for caring males to compensate for some of the energy loss. Human impact like eutrophication also alters the basics for animals living in that environment. It is fundamental to any species to adjust its behaviour to a changing environment. Studying sand goby males, I found trade-offs both regarding parental care allocations, like ventilation vs. predator defence, and investment in present vs. future reproductive success. Paternal sand gobies exposed to water with low oxygen levels increased their fanning effort but did not compensate by eating more eggs, even though an increased current parental effort should affect future reproductive success negatively. Investigating if patterns of filial cannibalism change with time of season, I found no correlation. Theory predicts that it should pay more to eat eggs early, when future mating potential is higher than late in the season. However, as early hatching fry are likely to gain higher fitness through larger size the next breeding season, this may provide an opposing selection pressure. In species with male care the only way a female can affect the level of post-spawning care is by choosing a good mate. A female preference to spawn in nests that already contain eggs of other females has been interpreted as a means to avoid filial cannibalism through a dilution effect or to decrease the costs of search time. Yet, in my study females did not avoid filial cannibalism by preferring large clutches to small ones. Oxygenation of the eggs might be a key factor, since both large and small females preferred spawning in nests with small clutches. Thus, as in most animals, trade-offs clearly govern the reproductive behaviour of sand gobies.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Boston University, 1999. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 206-220).

Esta dissertação de Mestrado integra um estudo de base sobre responsabilidade filial. Teve por objetivo adaptar a etapa qualitativa do instrumento elaborado por pesquisadores canadenses. O processo de adaptação compreendeu as etapas de equivalência conceitual, de itens, equivalência semântica e operacional. A equivalência conceitual e de itens baseou-se na revisão bibliográfica da temática nestes dois contextos e na discussão com um comitê de especialistas. A equivalência semântica abrangeu as etapas de tradução inicial, retradução, comitê de especialistas e pré-teste. A equivalência operacional baseou-se na análise da aplicação do instrumento. O comitê de especialistas, composto por profissionais vinculados à pesquisa, docência e assistência na área de saúde do idoso e saúde coletiva analisou a equivalência conceitual, de itens e semântica, entre a versão em português e o instrumento original. A versão final em português foi aplicada, por meio de pré-teste, a uma amostra de 11 filhos cuidadores de pessoas idosas cadastradas no Programa de Atendimento Domiciliar da Unidade Básica de Saúde Santa Cecília/HCPA, no município de Porto Alegre. A caracterização da amostra que serviu para validar o instrumento indicou que a maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino, com idade entre 40 a 67 anos e divorciada ou separada. As filhas cuidavam da mãe, viúva, com idade entre 71 a 97 anos. Por meio das repostas abertas do instrumento, foi possível estruturar quatro categorias: possibilidade de institucionalização dos pais idosos, expectativa de cuidado, as dificuldades em ser filho cuidador e a responsabilidade filial. A versão em português apresentou uma boa equivalência semântica e os resultados demonstraram que os conceitos e itens utilizados no instrumento canadense são aplicáveis à realidade local. / The following Master’s Degree thesis conveys a basis study on filial responsibility. It aimed to adapt the qualitative step of the instrument elaborated by Canadian researchers. The adaptation process approached the steps of conceptual, items, as well as semantic and operational equivalence. Conceptual equivalence and items equivalence was based on the bibliographical research of the theme in these two contexts and in the discussion of a specialists committee. The semantic equivalence approached the steps of initial translation, retranslation, specialists committee, and pretest. The operational equivalence was basically applying the instrument. The committee has analyzed the conceptual items, and semantic equivalence; between the version in Portuguese and the original instrument, resulting in the reformulation of some items, making them clearer and of an easier comprehension. The final version in Portuguese was applied, through a pretest, to a sample of 11 elderly caregivers registered in the Homecare Service Program in the Santa Cecília Basic Health Ward HCPA, in the city of Porto Alegre. The characterization of the sample that served to validate the instrument indicated that most of the participants were female, at age ranging from 40 to 67 years old, divorced or separated; which took care of the mother, widow, at age from 71 to 97 years old. From the answers obtained in the open questions, it was possible to structure four categories: feasibility of institutionalization of elderly parents, expectation of care from caregivers in relation to their children, filial responsibility, and difficulties in being a caregiver. The version in Portuguese presented a good semantic equivalence and the results displayed the fact that concepts and items used in the Canadian instrument are applicable to the local reality. / Esta tesis de Maestría hace parte de un estudio de base acerca de la responsabilidad filial. Tuvo por objetivo adaptar la etapa cualitativa del instrumento elaborado por investigadores canadienses. El proceso de adaptación abarcó las etapas de equivalencia conceptual, de ítems y de equivalencia semántica. La equivalencia conceptual y de ítems se basó en la revisión bibliográfica de la temática en estos dos entornos y en la discusión con un comité de expertos. La equivalencia semántica abarcó las etapas de traducción inicial, de retraducción, del comité de expertos y del pre-test. La equivalencia operacional se basó en el análisis de la aplicación del instrumento. El comité de expertos, compuesto por profesionales vinculados a la investigación, docencia y asistencia en el área de salud del anciano y salud colectiva analizó la equivalencia conceptual, de ítems y semántica, entre la versión en portugués y el instrumento original. La versión final en portugués fue aplicada, por medio del pre-test, a una muestra de 11 hijos cuidadores de personas ancianas registradas en el Programa de Atendimento Domiciliar da Unidade Básica de Saúde Santa Cecília/HCPA, en la ciudad de Porto Alegre. La caracterización de la muestra que sirvió para validar el instrumento indicó que la mayoría de los participantes era del sexo femenino, con edad entre 40 a 67 años y divorciada o separada. Las hijas cuidaban de la madre, viuda, con edad entre 71 a 97 años. Por medio de las respuestas abiertas del instrumento, fue posible estructurar cuatro categorías: posibilidad de institucionalización de los padres ancianos, expectativas de cuidado, las dificultades en ser hijo cuidador y la responsabilidad filial. La versión en portugués presentó una buena equivalencia semántica y los resultados demostraron que los conceptos e ítems utilizados en el instrumento canadiense son aplicables a la realidad local.

Esta dissertação de Mestrado integra um estudo de base sobre responsabilidade filial. Teve por objetivo adaptar a etapa qualitativa do instrumento elaborado por pesquisadores canadenses. O processo de adaptação compreendeu as etapas de equivalência conceitual, de itens, equivalência semântica e operacional. A equivalência conceitual e de itens baseou-se na revisão bibliográfica da temática nestes dois contextos e na discussão com um comitê de especialistas. A equivalência semântica abrangeu as etapas de tradução inicial, retradução, comitê de especialistas e pré-teste. A equivalência operacional baseou-se na análise da aplicação do instrumento. O comitê de especialistas, composto por profissionais vinculados à pesquisa, docência e assistência na área de saúde do idoso e saúde coletiva analisou a equivalência conceitual, de itens e semântica, entre a versão em português e o instrumento original. A versão final em português foi aplicada, por meio de pré-teste, a uma amostra de 11 filhos cuidadores de pessoas idosas cadastradas no Programa de Atendimento Domiciliar da Unidade Básica de Saúde Santa Cecília/HCPA, no município de Porto Alegre. A caracterização da amostra que serviu para validar o instrumento indicou que a maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino, com idade entre 40 a 67 anos e divorciada ou separada. As filhas cuidavam da mãe, viúva, com idade entre 71 a 97 anos. Por meio das repostas abertas do instrumento, foi possível estruturar quatro categorias: possibilidade de institucionalização dos pais idosos, expectativa de cuidado, as dificuldades em ser filho cuidador e a responsabilidade filial. A versão em português apresentou uma boa equivalência semântica e os resultados demonstraram que os conceitos e itens utilizados no instrumento canadense são aplicáveis à realidade local. / The following Master’s Degree thesis conveys a basis study on filial responsibility. It aimed to adapt the qualitative step of the instrument elaborated by Canadian researchers. The adaptation process approached the steps of conceptual, items, as well as semantic and operational equivalence. Conceptual equivalence and items equivalence was based on the bibliographical research of the theme in these two contexts and in the discussion of a specialists committee. The semantic equivalence approached the steps of initial translation, retranslation, specialists committee, and pretest. The operational equivalence was basically applying the instrument. The committee has analyzed the conceptual items, and semantic equivalence; between the version in Portuguese and the original instrument, resulting in the reformulation of some items, making them clearer and of an easier comprehension. The final version in Portuguese was applied, through a pretest, to a sample of 11 elderly caregivers registered in the Homecare Service Program in the Santa Cecília Basic Health Ward HCPA, in the city of Porto Alegre. The characterization of the sample that served to validate the instrument indicated that most of the participants were female, at age ranging from 40 to 67 years old, divorced or separated; which took care of the mother, widow, at age from 71 to 97 years old. From the answers obtained in the open questions, it was possible to structure four categories: feasibility of institutionalization of elderly parents, expectation of care from caregivers in relation to their children, filial responsibility, and difficulties in being a caregiver. The version in Portuguese presented a good semantic equivalence and the results displayed the fact that concepts and items used in the Canadian instrument are applicable to the local reality. / Esta tesis de Maestría hace parte de un estudio de base acerca de la responsabilidad filial. Tuvo por objetivo adaptar la etapa cualitativa del instrumento elaborado por investigadores canadienses. El proceso de adaptación abarcó las etapas de equivalencia conceptual, de ítems y de equivalencia semántica. La equivalencia conceptual y de ítems se basó en la revisión bibliográfica de la temática en estos dos entornos y en la discusión con un comité de expertos. La equivalencia semántica abarcó las etapas de traducción inicial, de retraducción, del comité de expertos y del pre-test. La equivalencia operacional se basó en el análisis de la aplicación del instrumento. El comité de expertos, compuesto por profesionales vinculados a la investigación, docencia y asistencia en el área de salud del anciano y salud colectiva analizó la equivalencia conceptual, de ítems y semántica, entre la versión en portugués y el instrumento original. La versión final en portugués fue aplicada, por medio del pre-test, a una muestra de 11 hijos cuidadores de personas ancianas registradas en el Programa de Atendimento Domiciliar da Unidade Básica de Saúde Santa Cecília/HCPA, en la ciudad de Porto Alegre. La caracterización de la muestra que sirvió para validar el instrumento indicó que la mayoría de los participantes era del sexo femenino, con edad entre 40 a 67 años y divorciada o separada. Las hijas cuidaban de la madre, viuda, con edad entre 71 a 97 años. Por medio de las respuestas abiertas del instrumento, fue posible estructurar cuatro categorías: posibilidad de institucionalización de los padres ancianos, expectativas de cuidado, las dificultades en ser hijo cuidador y la responsabilidad filial. La versión en portugués presentó una buena equivalencia semántica y los resultados demostraron que los conceptos e ítems utilizados en el instrumento canadiense son aplicables a la realidad local.

This present thesis has been prudently undertaken how to approach practically and theologically the ethical issues for the effective preaching with Confucian filial piety which has challenged Korean churches. Serious conflicts are arising among Korean families because of Confucianism teachings that filial piety is the highest virtue of all ethical teachings and that ancestor worship is the continuation of filial piety to the dead parents. This issue creates a rigorous religious controversy for Korean Christians and places obstacles in the path of evangelism in Korean society. Chapter one reveals the research orientation which gives general information on how to approach and develop this issue. I approach this issue historically, theologically, practically, and/or biblically. I adopt fundamental practical theology as the main research positioning, which was suggested by Don Browning. I also make use of seven movements proposed by J C Müller in order to present the literary research and six fundamental steps proposed by Lewis and Demarest only for the theological foundation in chapter three. Chapter two reveals the effect of Confucian ancestor worship has on Asian countries and Christians, specifically in China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea, which are under the influence of Confucianism, and how Confucian ancestor worship hinders people from receiving and following Jesus Christ and a common barrier to evangelism in these Eastern Asian countries. Chapter three reveals the theological foundations of Confucianism and Christianity. Confucianism has its own specific theologies of worship form, temple, canon, afterlife, and gods like those of Christianity. A comparison with the theological foundations of Confucianism and Christianity is made for a better understanding of Confucian ancestor worship and filial piety. Chapter four reveals the differences between Confucian and biblical teachings on filial piety. Confucian filial piety was taught by Confucius who is a founder of Confucianism, while the origins of biblical filial piety are rooted in the Old and New Testaments. The Bible teaches that filial piety is directed toward living parents, but Confucianism teaches that filial piety is to both living and dead parents; filial piety to the dead parents is ancestor worship. Chapter five reveals the distinctions between Confucian and biblical teachings on ancestor worship. Confucians believe that dead ancestors are able to protect their own families, bring fortunes to their descendants, watch over their own families, and to reward the right and punish the wrong, but the Bible ascribes to ancestor worship as idolatry as taught in the second commandment. Chapter six reveals the ways of practical theological applications of filial piety and ancestor worship. I propose the ways of practical theological applications without compromise in the circumstance of the acceptance of ancestor worship as a custom. Further, I challenge preachers as central to reconciliation how to make an effort to aid the rooting of biblical filial piety into Korean society as a traditional Korean heritage. I hope that this thesis will help non-Christians to understand the Christian perspective of filial piety and ancestor worship and why Christians reject Confucian ancestor worship, and how Christianity emphasizes filial piety. Further, my intent is to help Christians confirm their beliefs, challenge non- Christians by showing what Christians believe, and give wisdom on how to create harmony with non-Christian family members. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

Cette thèse propose un double dépassement de la théorie mimétique de René Girard. Le premier consiste à confronter la théorie mimétique à la psychologie de l’admiration et de l’envie, afin de montrer comment les comportements mimétiques procèdent essentiellement de ces deux émotions. Dès lors, le mimétisme ne doit plus être considéré comme une cause première du comportement humain mais comme une cause seconde, subordonnée à l’admiration ou à l’envie. Le second dépassement, plus radicale, consiste à proposer une théorie émotionnelle du comportement humain plus complète que la théorie mimétique, intégrant non seulement l’envie et l’admiration mais aussi la peur et la piété filiale. Il est alors possible de proposer une théorie émotionnelle du politique distinguant quatre types de rapports hiérarchiques : le pouvoir tyrannique fondé sur la peur, régnant par la menace et le châtiment et visant à la sécurité de tous, le pouvoir fascinant fondé sur l’envie, régnant par la séduction et la récompense et visant à la supériorité de tous, l’autorité vertueuse fondée sur l’admiration, régnant par l’exemplarité et la vertu et visant à l’excellence de tous ; et l’autorité pieuse fondée sur la piété filiale, régnant par la responsabilité et le don de soi et visant à la communion de tous. / This thesis suggests a double « overtaking » of the mimetic theory developed by René Girard. The first one consists of confronting mimetic theory with the help of the psychology of admiration and envy in order to show how mimetic behaviours proceed mainly from these two emotions. Consequently, mimetism cannot be considered as a primary cause of human behaviour but as a secondary cause, subject to admiration or envy. The second one is more radical. It consists of suggesting a theory of human behaviour more comprehensive than the mimetic theory based not only on admiration and envy but also on fear and filial piety. Based on this anthropology, it is possible to develop an emotional theory of politics, distinguishing four types of hierarchical relationships : the tyrannic power based on fear, governing by threat and punishment and aiming to ensure security to all ; the fascinating power based on envy, governing by seduction and rewards and aiming to ensure priviledges to all ; the virtuous authority based on admiration, governing by example and virtue and aiming to ensure excellence to all ; the pious authority, governing by responsability and self-giving and aiming to ensure communion to all.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of filial therapy in: (a) increasing Chinese parents' empathic behavior with their children; (b) increasing Chinese parents' attitude of acceptance toward their children; and (c) reducing Chinese parents' stress related to parenting. The experimental group, consisting of 18 Chinese parents, received 10 weekly 2-hour filial therapy training sessions and conducted a weekly 3 0-minute play session with one of their children. The control group, consisting of 16 Chinese parents, received no treatment during the ten weeks. All the parents were videotaped playing with their child before and after the training as a means of measuring change in empathic behavior. The two written self-report instruments completed for pretesting and posttesting purposes were the Porter Parental Acceptance Scale and the Parenting Stress Index. Analyses of Covariance revealed that the Chinese parents in the experimental group had significant changes in all 12 hypotheses, including (a) a significant increase in their level of empathic interactions with their children; (b) a significant increase in their attitude of acceptance toward their children; and (c) a significant reduction in their level of stress related to parenting. This study supports filial therapy as an effective intervention for Chinese parents and their children. Filial therapy equips Chinese parents with healthy parenting skills and knowledge and indirectly empowers Chinese children who experience an increase in parental empathy and acceptance. Thus, filial therapy offers significant possibilities for promoting the parent-child relationship and well-being of Chinese families.

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of filial therapy as a method of intervention for non-offending parents and their children who have experienced sexual abuse. Filial therapy is a didactic/dynamic approach used by play therapists to train parents to be therapeutic agents with their children. Parents are taught basic child-centered play therapy skills and the utilization of these skills in weekly play sessions with their children. Parents learn to create a special environment which enhances and strengthens the parent-child relationship, thus assisting in personal growth and change for both the parent and child. The purpose of this study was to determine if filial therapy is effective in: (a) increasing the acceptance of non-offending parents of their sexually abused children; (b) reducing the stress level of non-offending parents; (c) improving empathic behaviors of non-offending parents toward their sexually abused child; (d) decreasing the anxiety of sexually abused children; (e) enhancing the self-concept of sexually abused children; (f) decreasing behavior problems of sexually abused children as reported by their non-offending parents; and (g) enhancing the emotional adjustment of sexually abused children.