THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND THE MENTAL HEALTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL

Abstract

The family is a system whose members are independent, where each member is influenced by the system as a whole, and at the same time affects the health and functioning of the system. Better family functioning is associated with better mental status of respondents. Long-term changes in family structure can affect family function and thus the mental health of family members. The presence of depressive symptoms in parents is one of the main risk factors for the development of depressive symptoms in children in adulthood. Close emotional relationships with parents result in positive psychological outcomes for children, while bad emotional connections lead to negative outcomes. Family conflicts are most strongly associated with depressive symptoms. The family environment has a very significant role and impact on the mental health of the individual in all population groups. It is necessary to implement policies and strategies for the protection of mental health. The timely identification of dysfunctional families, which will be included in mental health promotion programs, and thus prevent further progression of mental illness, is also important.

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Salihović et al. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
164
THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND THE MENTAL
HEALTH OF AN INDIVIDUAL
Amela Salihović1,2*, Jasmina Mahmutović1, Suada Branković1, Ema Pindžo1,2, Almedina Hajrović1,2, Elmedina
Mrkulić2,3
1Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
2PhD student, Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
3Paediatric Clinic, Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Article Received on 07/06/2021 Article Revised on 28/06/2021 Article Accepted on 19/07/2021
INTRODUCTION
The family is the basic unit of the social community and
in all societies an important institution that occupies a
very high place on the table of life values. The family is
a system whose members are independent, where each
member is influenced by the system as a whole, and at
the same time affects the health and functioning of the
system. Thus the health/illness of an individual affects
the family and vice versa, the family structure affects the
health/illness of the individual.[1] The family can be a
source of health, attitudes about health and a source of
family coherence. As an interconnected group of
individuals, the family is sensitive to changes in its
internal and external environment and is a mediator
between the needs of the individual and society. Family
crises refer to the disturbed psychosocial balance of the
family system and can be developmental and non-
developmental, they are important for development,
because the further development of the individual and
the family as a system depends on the success of
overcoming and resolving.[2]
Long-term changes in the family structure could lead to a
change in the family function, so measures must be taken
to ensure that healthy family functioning continues.
Research shows that better family functioning is
associated with better mental status of respondents. With
irreversible globalization, long-term changes in family
structure can affect family function and thus the mental
health of family members.[3]
FHC- Family Health Climate
The family environment should influence the behaviour
of individuals and individual determinants. One of the
relevant aspects of the family environment may be the
family health climate. Family Health Climate (FHC) is a
degree of family variable that reflects an aspect of a
shared family environment. Because of the interactions
between the shared family environment and individuals
and their interactions, the family health climate should be
associated with cognitive, motivational, and behavioural
variables of individuals, with interactions related to
physical activity or diet in the family, and with family
life habits.[4] The impact of self-perception, family
climate and social support plays a major role in reducing
the incidence of mental disorders.[5]
SJIF Impact Factor 6.044
Review Article
ejbps, 2021, Volume 8, Issue 8, 164-166.
European Journal of Biomedical
AND Pharmaceutical sciences
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ISSN 2349-8870
Volume: 8
Issue: 8
164-166
Year: 2021
*Corresponding Author: Amela Salihović
Faculty of Health Studies, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
ABSTRACT
The family is a system whose members are independent, where each member is influenced by the system as a
whole, and at the same time affects the health and functioning of the system. Better family functioning is
associated with better mental status of respondents. Long-term changes in family structure can affect family
function and thus the mental health of family members. The presence of depressive symptoms in parents is one of
the main risk factors for the development of depressive symptoms in children in adulthood. Close emotional
relationships with parents result in positive psychological outcomes for children, while bad emotional connections
lead to negative outcomes. Family conflicts are most strongly associated with depressive symptoms. The family
environment has a very significant role and impact on the mental health of the individual in all population groups.
It is necessary to implement policies and strategies for the protection of mental health. The timely identification of
dysfunctional families, which will be included in mental health promotion programs, and thus prevent further
progression of mental illness, is also important.
KEYWORDS: Mental health, family, family environment, family functioning.

Salihović et al. European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
www.ejbps.com │ Vol 8, Issue 8, 2021. │ ISO 9001:2015 Certified Journal │
165
Emotional security theory
Emotional security theory emphasizes the role of parent-
child relationships in shaping children’s psychological
outcome. Relationships with parents are among the most
important social relationships, especially in the early
stages of life. Close emotional relationships with parents
result in positive psychological outcomes for children,
while bad emotional connections lead to negative
outcomes. A large number of empirical studies in
Western countries have shown that high-quality marital
and parental relationships improve adolescent mental
health. Adolescents who have good relationships with
their mothers and fathers have lower depression scores.[6]
Family environment and mental health
Most studies that study the relationship between a
parent's personality and the quality of parenting focus on
the links between psychological functioning disorders
and parental behaviour. Depressed mothers create a
destructive and repulsive environment that adversely
affects the child's functioning and psychological
adaptation of the child, are less responsible and less
adaptable to children's needs, show more anger and
sadness, and less positive emotions than non-depressed
mothers.[7]
The perinatal period can be a time of psychological
adjustment for both parents. Perinatal anxiety and
depression in a male family member or father are
significant concerns due to the impact on the spouses and
their families. Although the mental illnesses of mothers
and fathers are correlated, depression in the husband or
father exists even after the suppression of the mother's
depression. Research shows that children of such fathers
face an increased risk of adverse behavioural and
emotional outcomes.[8]
Research states that a negative family environment is
associated with depressive symptoms in offspring, and
that a less supportive and more conflicting family
environment is associated with current and future
symptoms of depression in children.[9]
The presence of depressive symptoms in parents is one
of the main risk factors for the development of
depressive symptoms in children in adulthood, especially
for female respondents. This effect was found in cases of
both biological parents and adoptive parents.[10]
Children whose families are characterized as functional
report fewer psychological problems compared to
children from families with poor family functioning.
Research shows that more than one-third (38%) of
mentally ill parents describe their families as
dysfunctional.[11] This is confirmed by other studies
whose results show that depression is significantly
negatively correlated with family functioning.[12]
The most important predictor of mental health is the
relationship with parents, followed by parental
upbringing, and pressure from parents. The results of
many studies suggest that parents are one of the key
factors contributing to the mental health of adolescents
and as such are of great value and importance for
planning the prevention and promotion of adolescent
mental health.[13]
The family structure became smaller with increased
industrialization and urbanization, and caring for older
individuals within the family structure became more
difficult. [14]
The results of the t-test show that there is a statistically
significant difference (p <0.05) in the severity of
depression in third-aged respondents living in
institutional accommodation compared to respondents
living at home with their families.[15]
Protective factors that affect mental health
The group of protective factors includes: positive and
warm family relationships, support, clearly defined roles
in the family, positive parental marriage, family
harmony, acceptance of change, effective
communication aimed at solving problems, time spent
together, family traditions, finances (satisfactory
economic status), spirituality of the family, health of
family members, support.[13]
Risk factors affecting mental health
The group of risk factors includes: conflicts in the
family, domestic violence, frequent stressful situations,
inconsistent discipline, unrealistic expectations of
parents, high-risk behaviours of parents and lack of
social support and social isolation of the family. Family
conflicts are most strongly associated with depressive
symptoms.[13] Given that the support of friends and
intimate partners usually replaces or at least
complements parental support when adolescents become
adults, it is interesting to discover that family
relationships in adolescents have such lasting effects
until middle age.[16]
CONCLUSION
Based on a review of scientific publications that have
studied the family and mental health from different
aspects, we can conclude that the family environment has
a very significant role and impact on the mental health of
the individual in all population groups. It is necessary to
implement policies and strategies for the protection of
mental health. The timely identification of dysfunctional
families, which will be included in mental health
promotion programs, and thus prevent further
progression of mental illness, is also important.
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