The Relationship Between Mental Health Problems and Systemic Family Dynamics Among High School and University Students in Shaanxi Province, China.

Zhe Yang,Yue Wang,Ying Liang,Haiyue Zhang,Yi Cui,Yifan Yang,Lei Shang,Yuhai Zhang

doi:10.3389/ijph.2021.1603988

Abstract

Objectives: The present study aimed to correlate relationships between systemic family dynamics and mental health and to explore family factors that influence adolescent mental health in Shaanxi Province, China.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to sample adolescents aged 12–23 using a questionnaire including Self-rating Scale of Systemic Family Dynamics, Symptom Checklist-90 Revised, and general demographic.Results: More educated parents in white-collar employment and higher family income were associated with better mental health and better family dynamic scores. The total score of family dynamics was positively correlated with mental health scores. The generalized linear mixed model found that poorer mental health was associated with increased age, being in senior high school, having a father in a blue-collar profession, and SSFD square. The structural equation modelling suggested that this is largely a mediated effect via those characteristics impacting family dynamics, which in turn affect mental health.Conclusion: Family dynamics may be an important contributor to adolescent mental health. Education and interventions aimed at improving family dynamics may be useful for reducing the prevalence of mental health problems amongst adolescents.

Highlights

Many children and adolescents experience mental health problems, many of which can interfere with their development and impair daily functions [1]
Participants in senior high school had the highest SCL-90-R scores, while the highest Systemic Family Dynamics (SSFD) scores were from junior high school students
Females and students living in a multigenerational family had higher average SSFD-scores than males and students living in a nuclear family, respectively

Summary

Introduction

Many children and adolescents experience mental health problems, many of which can interfere with their development and impair daily functions [1]. This issue applies both to developed and developing countries, there are variations in how relevant data are collected. The World Health Organization reported in 2020 that 10–20% of children and adolescents worldwide experience mental disorders [2]. The prevalence of adolescent mental health problems varies in different countries. Up to 10% of children and Mental Health Problems in Students

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion