Family Characteristics as Determinants of Mental Health in Adolescents

Abstract

The family environment is considered to be a micro-ecological system with numerous risk and protective factors for mental health. The goal of this research was to determine how different functional and/or structural family characteristics affect some indicators of mental health in adolescents. A number of 1,239 adolescents (ages 15–19) participated in the research. General Data Questionnaire, Family Life Satisfaction Scale, Family Communication Scale, Positive Mental Health Scale, Anxiety, Depression and Stress Scale, and Stressful Events in the Family Checklist, were applied. The results indicated no connection between sociodemographic characteristics and self-assessed satisfaction. Adolescents with older parents were less satisfied with their family and familial communication. Gender differences in mental health were confirmed, mostly to the detriment of girls. The mother’s age and the father’s level of education significantly correlate with individual mental health. Adolescents with older mothers reported lower mental health. Adolescents with fathers of lower educational status reported higher stress and depression level. Stress within the family proved to be significant in explaining adolescents’ mental health, especially due to financial issues, and conflicts among family members. Finally, the results indicated that family communication and satisfaction, with the control of sociodemographic characteristics and stress in a family, additionally explain the significant part of the variance in adolescents’ mental health.

Association between life satisfaction, problem behaviours and psychological distress in orphaned adolescents: Exploring gender and orphanhood type discrepancies

“…Echoing previous research, family, friend, school and self-satisfaction significantly negatively predicted psychological distress and problem behaviours (Bae, 2015;Jovаnovic & Jerkovic, 2011;Maglica et al, 2021;Yao et al, 2017). Compared with other forms of life satisfaction, school satisfaction had a stronger effect on problem behaviours.…”

“…Previous research showed that satisfaction in different domains of life was related to adolescents' internalizing and externalizing mental health problems. Low levels of family satisfaction were associated with internalizing mental health problems (Maglica et al, 2021) and suicidal behaviours (Pillay & Wassenaar, 1997). High levels of school satisfaction were associated with higher levels of subjective well‐being, lower levels of emotional distress and greater academic achievement (Jovаnovic & Jerkovic, 2011); lower levels of school satisfaction were associated with more consumption of tobacco or alcohol (Morioka et al, 2014).…”

Communication Within Families: Understanding Patterns and Impacts on Mental Health

“…Moreover, the evolving emphasis on positive mental health has led to a more nuanced understanding of its role in promoting mental well-being and preventing mental disorders, highlighting the potential for positive communication patterns within families to contribute to overall mental health (MaggiStefania et al, 2013). Additionally, barriers to accessing perinatal mental health services have been found to interact with family and individual level factors, influencing maternal mental health outcomes (Maglica et al, 2021). The compounding challenges faced by disadvantaged communities in accessing mental health resources point to the need for enhanced support and opportunities for promoting wellbeing within families affected by mental health needs (Sanchez et al, 2020).…”