The Associations of Family Communication Patterns With Young Adults’ Depression in Hungary and China: The Mediating Role of Maternal Psychological Control

Abstract

In this survey study (N = 235), we examined the associations among young adults’ perceptions of family communication patterns (FCPs), maternal psychological control (MPC), and depression in Hungary and China. The results revealed that Chinese young adults reported higher levels of family conformity orientation, MPC, and depression compared to their Hungarian counterparts. Additionally, Chinese and Hungarian young adults reported similar levels of family conversation orientation. Furthermore, results indicated that conversation orientation was a direct negative predictor of young adults’ depression. Lastly, conformity orientation was a positive indirect predictor of depression through MPC. These findings underscore the significant roles of general FCPs and specific parental behaviors play in the mental well-being of young adults.

Keywords

family communication patterns maternal psychological control depression Hungary China

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