Resilience as Mediator in the Relationship between Family Functioning and Depression among Adolescents from Single Parent Families (Resilien sebagai Mediator dalam Hubungan di antara Kefungsian Keluarga dan Kemurungan dalam kalangan Remaja dari Keluarga Tunggal)

Ng Ying Yee, Wan Shahrazad Wan Sulaiman

Abstract


 

Family dysfunction makes many adolescents experience problems in adjusting themselves in single-parent families. Resilient adolescents cope by interpreting life in single-parent family as a meaningful and empowering transition while non-resilient adolescents often experience anxiety and depression. This study aims to examine the mediator effect of resilience in the relationship between family functioning and depression among adolescents from single parent families. The participants were 232 adolescents who came from single parent families, with ages 13 to 18 years old. Data were collected from 8 secondary schools in Klang Valley using a set of questionnaire consisting the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales III, The Resilience Scale and Beck Depression Inventory-II. Pearson correlation analysis showed that all the variables in this study were significantly correlated with each other. Results showed that resilience significantly mediated the relationship between family adaptability and depression. However, resilience partially mediated the relationship between family cohesion and depression. The strong emotional bonding among family members can serve as a significant social support for family members. When adolescents have adequate social support from their family, it will foster the process of resilience reintegration. Hence, family cohesion has a stronger relationship with resilience compared to family adaptability that emphasised on family’s leadership, rules and roles. This implies that adolescents from single parent family should be assisted in strengthening and building their resilience despite staying in the dysfunctional family to reduce their depression tendencies.

 

Keywords: Family functioning; resilience; depression; adolescents; single parent family

 

ABSTRAK

Ketidakfungsian keluarga menyukarkan remaja menyesuaikan diri dalam keluarga tunggal. Remaja resilien berdaya tindak dengan menginterpretasi kehidupan dalam keluarga tunggal sebagai bermakna manakala remaja tidak resilien kebiasaannya mengalami kebimbangan dan kemurungan. Kajian ini bertujuan menguji resilien sebagai mediator dalam hubungan di antara kefungsian keluarga dan kemurungan dalam kalangan remaja dari keluarga tunggal.  Responden kajian adalah 232 remaja dari keluarga tunggal dengan umur di antara 13 hingga 18 tahun. Data dikumpul dari 8 sekolah menengah di Lembah Klang menggunakan satu set soal selidik mengandungi Skala Penyesuaian dan Kohesi Keluarga III, Skala Resilien dan Inventori Kemurungan Beck-II. Analisis korelasi Pearson menunjukkan semua pembolehubah kajian berkorelasi secara signifikan. Keputusan juga menunjukkan bahawa resilien berperanan secara signifikan sebagai mediator dalam hubungan di antara penyesuaian keluarga dan kemurungan. Walau bagaimanapun, resilien hanya berperanan secara separa sebagai mediator dalam hubungan di antara kohesi keluarga dan kemurungan. Hubungan emosi yang kuat di antara ahli-ahli keluarga boleh menjadi sumber sokongan sosial. Apabila remaja mempunyai sokongan sosial yang mencukupi, ia akan menggalakkan proses perkembangan resilien. Sehubungan itu, kohesi keluarga mempunyai hubungan yang lebih kuat berbanding adaptasi keluarga kerana ia menekankan kepada kepimpinan, peraturan dan peranan keluarga. Ini memberi implikasi bahawa remaja dari keluarga tunggal perlu dibantu dalam memperkasakan dan membina resilien apabila berada dalam keluarga disfungsi untuk mengurangkan kecenderungan ke arah kemurungan.

 

Kata kunci: Kefungsian keluarga; resilien; kemurungan; remaja; keluarga tunggal


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