To investigate the effects of parenting style and peer relationships on college students' empathy, and the mediating role of peer relationships. A simple parenting style scale, a peer relationship scale, and a college student empathy scale were used to investigate college students from seven institutions in Shaanxi Province. The rejection dimension of parenting style significantly and negatively predicted college students' peer relationship, and empathy(β=-0.37, p<0.001; β=-0.06, p<0.01); the overprotective dimension significantly and negatively predicted college students' peer relationship, and positively predicted college students' empathy(β=-0.23, p<0.001; β=0.06, p<0.05); the emotional warmth dimension significantly and positively predicted college students' peer relationship and empathy(β=0.46, p<0.001; β=0.30,p<0.001). Peer relation partially mediated the relationship between the dimensions of parenting style and college students' empathetic ability (-0.16, -0.11, 0.11; 95% CI not including 0). Parenting styles had a significant effect on college students' empathetic ability, and peer relationships partially mediated the effect of parenting style on empathetic ability.

Beilei Yao, Juan Ma, Yuxi Huang and Na Ni. The Impact of Parenting Style on College Students' Empathy: Peer Relationship as a Mediator. Frontiers in Educational Psychology (2023), Vol. 4, Issue 1: 1-9. https://doi.org/10.38007/JEP.2023.040101.

[1] Wang, Y.Q., Yuan, F. (2021) Research on the Causes of Mental Health Problems and Psychological Crisis Intervention System of "Post-00" College Students. Journal of Vocational University, 1, 91-92,108.

[2] Yang, L.H., Ouyang, H.W. (2021) Characteristics of College Students' Psychological Problems and Evaluation of the Effect of Mental Health Education. Psychological Monthly, 3, 12-13.

[3] Zhang, J.N., Men K., Lei, H., Et Al. (2021) Analysis of the Current Situation of Mental Health among College Students in Xi'an. South China Preventive Medicine, 4,550-552,556

[4] Rong, X., Cai, M.Y. (2013) The Positive Effect of Empathy on College Students' Mental Health and Its Enhancement Strategies. Science and Education, 2, 191-192.

[5] Xie, F.Z., Wu, S.S., Yang, P. (2016) The Role of Empathy and its Cultivation. Chinese Journal of Health Psychology, 9, 1425-1431.

[6] Wang, H. (2020) A Study on the Correlation between Achievement Peer Attachment, Empathic Ability and Pro-Social Behavior of Junior High School Students and Educational Countermeasures. Henan University,50-51.

[7] Huang, W.Q. (2021) Research on the Psychological Health Education Approach of College Students in a Collaborative Model of Home and School. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Theory Research and Practice, 12, 154-157.

[8] Zhang, Y., Ren, H.Y. (2012) A Meta-Analysis of the Relationship between Parenting Style and College Students' Mental Health. China School Health, 4, 423-426.

[9] Jia, L.R., Yu, C., Yu. S.J. (2019) the Relationship between Different Family Parenting Styles and College Students' Empathic Ability. Chinese Journal of Health Psychology, 6, 910-914.

[10] Jin, J.T. (2013) A Study on the Correlation between Primary School Students' Emotional Regulation Difficulties, Parenting Style and Peer Relationship. Shandong Normal University, 36-38.

[11] Yang, S.Y. (2018) A Study on the Influence of Peer Relationship on College Students' Academic Performance. Shihezi University, 2-7.

[12] Xie, G.X. (2020) Research on the Characteristics of the Current Situation of College Students' Peer Relationship and the Influencing Factors. Journal of Jiamusi Vocational College, 6, 274-275

[13] Ma, N.N. (2011) The Influence of Family Parenting Style on Peer Relationship of Upper Primary School Students.Northeast Normal University, 19-20.

[14] Zhang, R.Z., Cao, X.J., Ranet. G.M. Al. (2019) The Effect of Sibling Relationship Quality on Empathy in Firstborn Toddlers. Preschool Education Research, 8, 52-63.

[15] Zhu, L.F., Zhang, X.Y. (2017) Exploration of Empathy and its Influencing Factors. Journal of Huaibei Vocational and Technical College, 1, 49-51.

[16] Jiang, J., Lu, Z.R., Jiang, B.J., Et Al. (2010) Revision of the Short-Form Egna Minnen Av Barndoms Uppfostran for Chinese. Psychological Development and Education, 1, 94-99.

[17] Liu, N.F. (2011) A Study on the Relationship between Interpersonal Interaction and Self-Concept among Junior High School Students. Hangzhou Normal University.

[18] Zhang, F.F., Dong, Y. Wang, K., Et Al. (2010) Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index-C.Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2, 155-157.

[19] Wen, Z.L., Zhang, L., Hou, T.J., Et Al. (2004) Testing and Application of the Mediating Effects.Journal of Psychology, 5, 614-620.

[20] Wang, D.N. (2020) A Study on the Correlation between Parenting Style, Peer Relationship and School Adjustment of Primary School Students. Jilin University, 48.

[21] Yang, F. (2018) A Study on the Influence of Parenting Style on Primary School Students' Independent Learning Ability. Fujian Normal University.

[22] Tang, X.Q. (2009) Analysis of Contemporary Interpersonal Relationship Problems and Countermeasures among College Students. Science and Education, 37-39.

[23] Zhang, D. (2015) an Intervention Study of Empathic Group Training on Improving Interpersonal Communication among College Students. Northeast Normal University.

[24] Yu, W.W., Wang, K., and Liang, Z. (2012) Exploring the Association between Empathy and Parenting Style among Medical College Students. Chinese School Health, 1, 28-30.

[25] Zuo, X.Y. (2018) The Relationship between Parenting Style, Personality and Interpersonal Relationship Disorders Among College Students. Wan Nan Medical College.