The impact of family functioning on depression in college students: A moderated mediation model

The depression of college students is increasing. Family dysfunction is a potential risk factor for depression. More research is needed to uncover the relationship and influencing mechanism. Based on this, this study examined the mediating effect of coping style and the moderating effect of gender in family functioning and depression among college students.

From May to June 2022, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2033 college students (16-24 years old) from universities in Anhui Province, China, including 1285 females (63.21 %) and 748 males (36.79 %), with an average age of 19.81 years old (SD = 1.22 years old). There were 651 (32.02 %) only child. Family functioning was assessed by Family Assessment Device, coping style was assessed by Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire and depression was assessed by Self-rating Depression Scale. Common method bias was performed by Harman's single-factor test. Mediating effect was analyzed by stepwise regression. Moderating effect was analyzed by moderated multiple regression.

There was no serious common method bias in this study. Good family functioning had a negative predictive effect on depression in college students (r = -0.56, p < 0.001). Coping style partially mediated the predictive effect of family functioning on depression, and the mediating effect accounted for 33.73 % of the total effect. The interaction term of family functioning and gender was significant predictor of coping style (β = 0.33, t = 2.69, p < 0.05) and depression (β = -1.98, t = -2.46, p < 0.05).

Good family functioning is a negative predictor of depression in college students. Coping style plays a partial mediating role between family functioning and depression. The first half path and the direct path of the mediation model are modulated by gender.