Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Jan 22, 2025
Date Accepted: Apr 24, 2025
Mediating effects of psychological independence and social support on the association between family strength and depression in young Korean adults: A cross-sectional study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Although family strength is potentially associated with a reduced risk of depression, little is known about the underlying pathways and mediating factors.
Objective:
This study aimed to investigate the mediating effects of psychological independence and social support on the relationship between family strength and depression in young adults.
Methods:
We employed an online survey agency to recruit 1,000 young Korean adults aged 19 to 24 years using an independent panel and quota sampling, with stratification being gender and age. The participants completed self-reported questionnaires that assessed family strength, psychological independence, social support, and depression. To examine the mediating effects of psychological independence and social support on the relationship between family strength and depression, we performed path analysis with AMOS 26 software (IBM Corp.). using maximum standard likelihood estimation.
Results:
The path analysis revealed that family strength had a direct negative effect on depression and indirect negative effects that were mediated by psychological independence and social support. Psychological independence directly influenced depression and indirectly influenced depression through social support; however, social support had a direct effect on depression. The overall model explained 23% of the total variance in depression.
Conclusions:
Strategies to increase psychological independence and social support could reduce the risk of depression in young adults who have low family strength.
Citation
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Copyright
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