Perceived family functioning in depressed Chinese couples: A cross-sectional study

The Associations Between Parental Burnout and Mental Health Symptoms Among Chinese Parents With Young Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused numerous unexpected changes for families and societies, which have likely contributed to higher amounts of stress for most parents. This study aimed to examine the relationship between burnout and mental health among parents during the COVID-19. Pandemic exposure and household factors (e.g., family structure, family function) were examined as moderators. An online cross-sectional survey recruiting 1,209 adults was conducted from April 21st to April 28th, 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown in China. The multivariable linear regression analysis was employed to test the association between burnout, household factors, and mental health among parents. Findings suggested that for parents with a young child, poorer mental health was related to a higher level of burnout (β = 0.220, P < 0.001) and greater exposure to the pandemic. Mothers of a single and/or young child had considerably poorer mental health. Moreover, the relationship between mental health and burnout among parents was significantly moderated by epidemic exposure (β = 2.561, P < 0.001), family structure (number of children: β = -1.257, P < 0.001; first child age: β=-1.116, P < 0.001) and family function (β = -0.574, P < 0.05). This study indicated that burnout symptoms were significantly associated with worse mental health among parents in China. Besides, exposure to the pandemic, family structure, and family function was found to moderate the association between burnout and mental health among parents. Therefore, the present study stressed enhanced access to mental health resources and emotional supports for parents during a public crisis to reduce the deleterious effects of burnout.

Effects of Neighborhood Discrimination Towards Mainland Immigrants on Mental Health in Hong Kong

Using data from a representative sample of Chinese adults who were surveyed in the Hong Kong Panel Study of Social Dynamics (HKPSSD), we estimate the effects of neighborhood discrimination towards immigrants from Mainland China on the mental health of Chinese residents in Hong Kong. Contrary to our expectations, discrimination towards immigrants from Mainland China measured at the neighborhood level is not associated with the poor mental health of post-1997 immigrants; instead, a higher level of immigrant discrimination is associated with a lower level of psychological distress for both post-1997 Mainland immigrants and other Chinese residents in Hong Kong. A functional family also appears to be a consistent predictor of better mental health for both groups. Our findings, therefore, suggest that immigrant discrimination can signify a prejudice that leads to social distance or avoidance and that the post-1997 Mainland immigrants do not have extensive contact with other local residents in Hong Kong. Although local residents’ discriminatory attitudes may not result in aggressive behaviors that have a negative impact on newcomers’ mental health, the social distance between the immigrants and the local residents is still an issue that requires further research and practical attention.

Family functioning and 1-year prognosis of first-episode major depressive disorder

This study aims at investigating the characteristics of family functioning in Chinese first-episode major depressive disorder (FE-MDD) patients and its relationship with major depressive episode (MDE) duration. We recruited 63 FE-MDD families and 59 healthy comparison (HC) families from WuHan Mental Health Center and its nearby communities from September 2014 to August 2016. Family functioning was assessed by the Chinese version of Family Assessment Device (FAD). After baseline assessment, MDD patients were followed-up monthly for one year. Independent t test and Pearson correlation analysis were respectively used to compare the family functioning of MDD and HC families and to assess the relationship between family functioning and MDE duration. Our results showed that MDD families exhibited family impairment in all the 7 sub-scales of FAD. MDD patients with "healthy family functioning" showed significantly shorter MDE duration than those with "unhealthy family functioning". MDE duration was positively correlated with the score of problem solving (PS), communication (CM) and general functioning (GF) subscales. These findings indicate that Chinese MDD families are associated with a wide range of family impairments and family functioning is linked to the MDE duration. Improvement of family functioning may be helpful for the recovery of MDD.

Depressive Symptoms, Family Functioning and Quality of Life in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus often have depression or depressive symptoms, impaired family functioning and poor quality of life. This study aimed to examine relationships among psychological variables, including depressive symptoms, family functioning and quality of life, for Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes and to explore the influencing factors on quality of life for these patients.

METHOD

In this cross-sectional study, 257 patients with type 2 diabetes and 259 nondiabetic community controls completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Family Assessment Device, and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form.

RESULTS

Patients with type 2 diabetes reported significant family impairment in the dimension of affective involvement compared with nondiabetic community controls (p<0.05). Mean Family Assessment Device scores were negatively associated with quality of life scores among patients with type 2 diabetes. Age, depressive symptoms, duration of diabetes, communication, affective involvement and behavioural control were associated with quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that having type 2 diabetes was associated with some difficulties with family functioning and that poor family functioning was associated with a poorer quality of life. Additional factors, including older age, depressive symptoms, duration of diabetes, and some dimensions of family functioning, were found to be associated with quality of life in Chinese individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Social service utilization, sense of community, family functioning and the mental health of new immigrant women in Hong Kong

Drawing upon a sample of 296 new immigrant women in Hong Kong, this study investigated how social service utilization, family functioning, and sense of community influenced the depressive symptoms of new immigrant women. Results of the structural equation modeling suggested that family functioning and sense of community were both significantly and negatively associated with the depression of new immigrant women. Utilization of community services also influenced the depression of immigrant women indirectly through the mediating effect of sense of community. Implications of the research findings for mental health intervention were discussed.