Relationship between Family Functioning and Depression among Adolescents from Single Parent Family: Mediating Role of Resilience

The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between family functioning, resilience, and depression among adolescents from single-parent families. In this study, convenient sampling technique was used. Adolescents from single-parent households comprised the participants; their ages ranged from 12 to 19. Using a series of questionnaires, the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III Olson et al. (1985), The Resilience Scale Wagnild and Young (1993), and the Beck Depression Inventory-II Aaron T. Beck (1961), data was gathered from schools and institutions in Jhelum, Lahore, and Islamabad. The study employed convenient sampling with a sample size of 280 adolescents. Results were calculated through (SPSS-25). Correlation analysis showed the negative but significant correlation among family functioning and depression (r = -.79**, p < 0.01). The results exposed that family functioning comes out as a significant negative predictor of depression among adolescents (R² = .63, F = 477.43, **p < 0.01). Further analysis showed a difference due to residential areas adolescents from Islamabad scored high in resilience (M=139.64) compared to Lahore and Jhelum participants. At depression, adolescents from Jhelum scored high (M=32.58). Family functioning was better in Lahore adolescents (M=42.46) compared to other areas. The mediating role of resilience in the relationship between family functioning and depression was also analyzed result showed that resilience plays no significant role as a mediator. This suggests that in order to decrease their vulnerability toward depression, despite having to live in an unstable home permanently, adolescents from single-parent households should be helped to grow and strengthen their resilience.