 The path analysis model of relations between family cohesion and flexibility, resilience, and mental health of university students

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling and Psychology, Kermanshah Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah, Iran.

Abstract

Present study was carried with the aim of examine the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between family cohesion and flexibility with mental health of college students in the form of a causal model. The statistical populations in this study were all graduate students in Science and Research Branch, Kermanshah Islamic Azad University in 2014, which were selected 303 patients (150 female and 153 male) the multistage cluster random sampling method for the sample group. To measure the research variables, used measures of Samani's family cohesion, Shakeri's family flexibility, Conner and Davidson's Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Goldberg & Hillier's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). The hypothetical model tested through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) by sequential simultaneous regression analyses, with the use of the steps suggested by Baron and Kenny (1986). Results of path analysis, represents meaningful mediating role of resilience in the relationship between family cohesion and flexibility and mental health of students. In addition, the goodness of fit indices GFI, AGFI, RFI, and RMSEA indicated good fitness model and its correspondence with the experimental data. Based on the findings of this research it can concluded that proper functioning of the family in terms of cohesion and flexibility, both directly and by strengthening resilience in children can have a significant role in promoting psychological health level family members.

Keywords

References

Abdollahzadeh, N., & Samani, S. (2010). The family processes, family content and adolescence emotional problems. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences. 5, 733-737. Available online at www.sciencedirect.com.
Amerikaner, M., Monks, G., Wolfe, P., & Thomas, S. (1994). Family Interaction and Individual Psychological Health. Journal of Counseling and Development. 72(6), 614-620.
Asch M. (2003). Dictionary of psychology. New Delhi: Lipincott. P: 68-109.
Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 51(6), 1173-1182.
Benzies, K., & Mychasiuk, R. (2009). Fostering family resiliency: a review of the key protective factors. Child and Family Social Work, 14(1), 103-114.
Birmes, P., Raynaud, J. P., Daubisse, L., Brunet, A., Arbus, C., Klein, R., & et al. (2009). Children’s Enduring PTSD Symptoms are Related to Their Family’s Adaptability and Cohesion. Community Mental Health Journal, 45(4), 290-299.
Bonanno, G. A. (2004). Loss, trauma, and human resilience. American Psychologist, 59(1), 20-28.
Bowen, M. (1966). The use of family theory in clinical practice. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 7, 345-374.
Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice. New York: Aronson.
Conner, M. (2006). Assessment of resilience in the aftermath of trauma. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 67(2), 46-49.
Conner, K. M., & Davidson, J. R. T. (2003). Development of a new resilience scale: The Conner- Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Depression and Anxiety, 18, 76-82.
Dekovic, M., Wissink, I. B., & Meijer, A. M. (2004). The role of family and peer relations in adolescent antisocial behavior: comparison of four ethnic groups. Journal of Adolescence, 27(5), 497-514.
Fitzpatrick, M.A., & Koener, A. F. (2004). Family Communication Schemata Effects on Children’s Resiliency. In S. Dunwoody, L. B. Becker, D. McLeod, & G. Kosicki (Eds.), The evolution of key mass communication concepts: Honoring Jack, M. McLeod (pp. 115-139). Cresskill, New Jersey: Hampton Press.
Goldberg, D. P., & Hillier, V. F. (1979). A scaled version of General Health Questionnaire. Journal of Psychological Medicine. 9, 131-145.
Hawley, R. D. (2000). Clinical implica- tions of family resilience. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 8, 101-106.
Johnson, H. D., LaVoie, J. C., & Mahoney, M. (2001). Interparental Conflict and Family Cohesion: Predictors of Loneliness, Social Anxiety, and Social Avoidance in Late Adolescence. Journal of Adolescent Research, 16(3), 304-318.
Kaufman, M. (2011). How Families Facilitate the Development of Empathy in Children: A Family Systems Theory Perspective. A Dissertation Doctor of Philosophy, Manhattan, Kansas: Kansas State University.
Leidy, M. S., Guerra, N. G., & Toro, R. I. (2010). Positive Parenting, Family Cohesion, and Child Social Competence Among Immigrant Latino Families. Journal of Family Psychology, 24(3), 252-260.
Lingren, H. G. (2003). Creating sustainable families. Available online at: http:www.janr.Un.Edu/pubs/family/g1269.htm
Lucia, V. C., & Breslau, N. (2006). Family cohesion and children’s behavior problems: A longitudinal investigation. Psychiatry Research, 141(2), 141-149.
 Luthar, S. S., & Cicchetti, D. (2000). The construct of resilience: implications for interventions and social policies. Development and Psychopathology, 12, 857-885.
Luthar, S. S., Cicchetti, D., & Becker, B. (2000). The construct of resilience: A critical evaluation and guidelines for future work. Child Development, 71, 543-562.
Masten, A. (2001). Ordinary magic: resilience processes in development. American Psychologist, 56, 227-238.
Minuchin, S. (1984). Family kaleidoscope. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Morales, E. (2007). Approaches Based on Resilience. Commissioned by Oak Foundation. English Translation.
Olson, D. H. (1999). Empirical Approaches to Family Assessment. Journal of Family Therapy, Special Edition.
Olson, D. H. (2000). Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems. Journal of Family Therapy, 22, 144-167.
Olson, D. H. (2011). FACES IV and the Circumplex Model: Validation Study. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 37(1), 64-80.
Olson, D. H., & Gorall, D. M. (2003). Circumplex Model of marital and family systems. In F. Walsh (Eds.), Normal family processes: Growing diversity and complexity (3rd ed., pp. 514-548). New York: The Guilford Press.
Perkins, D. F., & Jons, K. R. (2004). Risk behaviors and resiliency within physically abused adolescents. Child Abuse & Neglect, 28(5), 547-563.
Richardson, G. E. (2002). The metatheory of resilience and resiliency. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58, 307-321.
Richmond, M. K., & Stocker, C. M. (2006). Associations between family cohesion and adolescent siblings’, externalizing behavior.Journal of Family Psychology, 20(4), 663-669.
Rutter, M. (1979). Protective factors in children’s responses to stress and disadvantage. Primary prevention of psychopathology, 3, 49-74.
Rutter, M. (1985). Resilience in the face of adversity: protective factors and resistance to psychiatric disorder. British Journal of Psyhiatry, 147, 598-611.
Seccombe, K. (2002). Beating the odds versus changing the odds: poverty, resilience, and family policy. Journal of Marriage and family. 64,384-394.
Smith, E. P., Prinz, R. J., Dumas, J. E., & Laughline, J. (2001). Latent Models of Family Processes in African American Families: Relationships to Child Competence, Achievement, and Problem Behavior. Journal of Marriage and family, 63(4), 967-980.
Victor, A. M., Bernat, D. H., Bernstein, G. A., & Layne, A. E. (2007). Effects of Parent and Family Characteristics on Treatment Outcome of Anxious Children. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 21(6), 835-848.
Waller, M. A. (2001). Resilience in ecosystemic context: Evolution of the child. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 71, 290-297.
Walsh, F. (2002). A Family Resilience Framework: Innovative Practice Applications. Family Relations, 51(2), 130-137.
Walsh, F. (2003). Family Resilience: A Framework for Clinical Practice. Family Process, 42(1), 1-18.
Werner, E. E. (1984). Resilienct children. Young Children, 40, 68-72.
Williams, J. B. W. (2008). Mental health status, functioning and disability. In A. J. Rush, M. B. First & D. Blacker (Eds.), Handbook of psychiatric measures (2nd ed., pp. 83-106). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
World Health Organization Report (2001). Mental health: New understanding, new hope. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
Yahav, R. (2002). External and Internal Symptoms in Children and Characteristics of the Family Systems: A Comparison of the Linear and Circumplex Models. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 30(1), 39-56.
Family Counseling and Psychotherapy
Volume 5, Issue 3 - Serial Number 19
December 2015
Pages 22-49

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 04 April 2015
  • Accept Date: 04 April 2015

Share

How to cite

Statistics