Function of family of origin and current quality of life: exploring the mediator role of resilience in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Early physical and mental experiences from family of origin and parents might influence individuals’ later adulthood quality of life (QOL). The present study was undertaken to examine the inter-relationships among function of family of origin, resilience, and current quality of life in a T2DM sample from China. Three hundred T2DM participants were included in this investigation. A Chinese version of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale 25, an APGAR family functioning scale, and a Diabetes Specificity Quality of Life Scale were used to assess the levels of mental resilience, function of family of origin, and QOL of these patients, respectively. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of QOL. A 3-step composite analysis was used to examine the predicted mediating effect. QOL total score was negatively related to resilience (r = − .299, p < 0.01) and family function (r = − .246, p < 0.01). In contrast, a significantly positive correlation between resilience and family function (r = .302, p < 0.01) was found. Two subscales of resilience (strength and optimism) and function of family of origin explained an additional 4.5% of the variance in QOL changes after controlling for demographic variables. Resilience had a 26.3% mediating effect between function of family of origin and current QOL. In conclusion, the present work suggested a synthetic and stable association between function of family of origin and QOL level in the later life in a sample of Chinese T2DM population, with resilience acting as a mediating factor. Adult individuals who have grown up in an unfavorable family setting may be low in mental resilience, and would have worse QOL in their mid- and later life, especially when they are confronted with certain adversity or stress, such as having diabetes.