Relationships between depression with family intimacy and adaptability among adolescents

Objective To examine relationships between family intimacy and adaptability with depression among adolescents in Haikou,and to provide scintific basis for prevention of adolescent depression.Methods A total of 4 995 students in Haikou city were chosen by using the random cluster sampling strategy and administered with Children Depression Scale and FACES Ⅱ.Results The score of familial intimacy in students with depressive symptoms(60.64± 10.30) were lower than those without depressive symptoms(69.4± 10.84) (t =27.449,P<0.05).Students with depressive symptoms (39.69±8.70 v.s.45.70±8.99,t =22.276,P <0.05) scored lower familial adaptability,had higher proportion of extreme family type (35.7% v.s.27.1%;x2 =34.475,P<0.05) compared to students without depressive symptoms.Family intimacy and adaptability was negatively correlated with negative emotions (r=-0.49,P<0.05;r=-0.42,P<0.05),low self-efficacy (r=-0.53,P<0.05;r=-0.49,P<0.05),interpersonal problems (r=-0.42,P<0.05;r=-0.38,P<0.05),lack of pleasure and interest (r=-0.60,P<0.05;r=-0.59,P<0.05),and total score of depressive symptoms (r=-0.46,P<0.05;r=-0.41,P<0.05).Conclusion Family intimacy and adaptability are closely related to depression in adolescents,especially among students from extreme families.Warm family environment is crucial for optimal mental health development of youth.