The McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) dimensions involved in the prediction of adolescent depressive symptoms and their mediating role in regard to socioeconomic status

Abstract

Family functioning plays an important role in explaining the high prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents and it is necessary to identify the family functioning characteristics responsible for this relationship. In turn, while socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with adolescent depressive symptoms, the mechanisms that explain this relationship are largely unknown. In this study, we used the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) to obtain a picture of the family functioning dimensions that genuinely contribute to explaining the relationship between family functioning and adolescent depressive symptoms and analyzed the mediating effect of family functioning on the impact of SES on depressive symptoms. Regression-based conditional process analysis was used with a sample of 636 adolescents aged 12–17 years. Pratt's measures in regression analyses showed that 95% of the variance in depressive symptoms was accounted for by three of the six FAD dimensions: the ability to experience and express emotions appropriately—Affective Responsiveness— the ability to maintain adequate involvement among family members—Affective Involvement—and the ability to set and abide by rules and standards of behavior— Behavioral Control. Results also showed that the impact of SES on depressive symptoms was mediated by the existence of clear expectations about standards of behavior and behavioral patterns for handling family tasks—Behavioral Control and Roles—and, for the boys, by experiencing and expressing emotions appropriately. The results emphasize the importance of affect and clear-cut family rules to prevent adolescent depressive symptoms and suggest that the existence of family rules and roles buffer the impact of SES on adolescent wellbeing