The Effect of Family Functioning on Children's Mental Health: A Moderated Mediation Model of Parenting Time and Parent-Child Closeness

• In Event: Risk and Protective Factors for Student Mental Health

Abstract

To examine the protective role of family functioning, parent-child closeness and parenting time in predicting children's mental health during the pandemic. We surveyed 136 families about their family functioning, parent-child closeness, children’s mental health, and the amount of time that parents spent on caring for the children before and during the lockdown. Parent-child closeness mediated the effect of family functioning on children’s mental health The change in parenting time moderated the effect of family functioning on parent-child closeness and the effect of closeness on children’s mental health. The well-functioning family process, good parent-child relationship, and the increased time in caring for children during lockdown served as protective factors in reducing the negative influence of home confinement on children’s mental health.

Authors

• Gen Li, University of South Florida

• peng wang

• Tony Xing Tan, University of South Florida