Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the family relationships recognized by children and mental health after becoming adults, with emphasis on the forms of recognition from the viewpoint of children. It consisted of an anonymous questionnaire survey using a multiple-choice and fill-in-the-answer format among 451 university students as the subjects. The questionnaire included an investigation into the gender, family relationship from the higher grades of elementary school to secondary school, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and the tendency towards depression and anxiety of the subjects. The results of this study suggested that the more balanced the psychological distance between family members, the lower the score showing a tendency towards anxiety, and vice versa. The results also suggested that the more balanced the psychological distance between family members, the lower the score showing a tendency towards depression, and vice versa. Therefore, it is assumed that the balance of the psychological distance between each member has a stronger impact on the tendency towards anxiety and depression than the length of the psychological distance. In terms of gender, there were no differences in self-esteem, self-efficacy, or the tendency of depression and anxiety. In conclusion, this study partially revealed how the family relationships recognized by children impact personality formation in the process of becoming adults.
Highlights
Issues regarding the mental health of children at school are a matter of social concern
Regarding the average score categorized according to family patterns, the pattern with equal and close distances among the three members was 22.4 ± 4.2, the pattern with equal and intermediate distances among the three members was 21.9 ± 3.9, the pattern with a close distance between father and child was 20.9 ± 5.3, the pattern with a close distance between mother and child was 22.0 ± 3.3, the pattern with a close distance between mother and father was 21.9 ± 4.5, the pattern with equal and long distances among the three members was 21.9 ± 3.7, and the pattern with equal distances between two members was 20.0 ± 4.5, respectively
Based on the overall average scores of the degree of self-esteem, it is believed that the pattern with equal and close distances among the three members and the pattern with a close distance between mother and child are categorized into a group with a relatively high degree of self-esteem, the pattern with a close distance between mother and father, the pattern with equal and long distances among the three members, and the pattern with equal and intermediate distances among the three members are categorized into a group with an average degree of self-esteem, and the pattern with a close distance between father and child and the pattern with equal distances between two members are categorized into a group with a relative low degree of self-esteem
Summary
Issues regarding the mental health of children at school are a matter of social concern. One issue is truancy, which is believed to be due to mental instability such as an increased tendency towards anxiety or depression and a lack of self-esteem and selfefficacy [1]-[4]. As a result, this may lead to emotional instability with uncontrolled emotions as well as heavily poor academic performance or learning disabilities. The family significantly impacts the mental health of children during infancy and childhood when children heavily depend on their parents both physically and mentally. It has been demonstrated that the self-esteem of children can be enhanced to improve their depressive state by having the parents talk to their children and praise them at an appropriate time [3] [4]
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