Depression and Anxiety Trend according to Family Function in Children

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Family environment has an important effect on the development of children. During childhood and adolescence, depression and anxiety are common forms of psychopathology. Therefore, the relationship between family function and depression anxiety in children was investigated in this study. This research was intended to aid management of children in the field of primary care. METHODS: This study was based on the survey administered to 193, 4th grade students of two elementary schools in the area of Sung-buk in Seoul, Korea, in May, 2003. We investigated family function, depression and anxiety by self-rating using the Smilkstein's Family APGAR, the Kovacs's CDI and the Reynolds's RCMAS. At the same time, home environment characteristics (Family Structure, Parental Religion, Parental Education and Monthly Household Income) were investigated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in home environment characteristics between Family APGAR groups (P>0.05). CDI scores were significantly higher for children whose parents had education levels of middle school or lower (P0.05). CDI score was significantly different between Family APGAR groups (P <0.05). And, RCMAS scores was significantly higher in poor family function groups than good family function groups according to Family APGAR groups (P<0.01). Both CDI and RCMAS scores was negatively correlated with Family APGAR scores (r=-0.376, P<0.01) (r=-0.266, P<0.01) and CDI score was positively correlated with RCMAS scores (r=0.711, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: In groups where the Family APGAR score was lower, both CDI and RCMAS scores were significantly lower. Accordingly, when caring for children, family physicians should heed to their family function and know that it has an effect on children's emotions.