College Student Cohesive-Flexible Family Functioning and Mental Health Examining Gender Differences and the Mediation Effects of Positive Family Communication and Self-Compassion

The current study examined the relationship between college students' perception of cohesive-flexible family functioning and anxiety and depression and whether positive family communication and self-compassion mediated this relationship. Gender differences among these relationships were also explored. Five hundred college students from a southeastern public university completed an online survey (78% females, 46% Caucasian, 55% 18-19 years old). Multiple-sample latent structural equation modeling analyses revealed that cohesive-flexible family functioning was related to higher levels of positive communication, positive communication was related to higher levels of self-compassion, and that higher levels of self-compassion were related to lower levels of depression and anxiety. Positive communication and self-compassion mediated the relationship between cohesive-flexible family functioning and anxiety and depression. Moderation analyses revealed no significant differences between males and females. Implications for practitioners who work with college students are discussed.