[Association Between Family Health and Mental Health in a Peruvian Community: A Cross Sectional Study]

To evaluate the association between family health and mental health among residents of a Peruvian community.

Analytical cross-sectional study.

Virgen del Carmen La Era community (Lurigancho-Chosica, Lima, Peru).

A convenience sample of 321 adults.

Family health was assessed using the SALUFAM scale (13 items) and mental health using DASS-21 (depression, anxiety, and stress). Categorical variables were summarized with frequencies and percentages, and age with median and interquartile range. Associations were estimated using generalized linear models with Poisson distribution and robust variance to obtain adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals.

The prevalence of impaired mental health was 37.4%; stress 42.1%; anxiety 38.0%; and depression 25.2%. Higher family vulnerability was associated with stress (aPR=1.39; 95%CI: 1.02-1.89), anxiety (aPR=1.41; 95%CI: 1.02-1.94), and impaired mental health (aPR=1.92; 95%CI: 1.32-2.79), but not depression (aPR=1.33; 95%CI: 0.86-2.05).

Family vulnerability was associated with worse mental health outcomes, particularly stress and anxiety, supporting family-centered community interventions.