Strengths Knowledge Defend Against Depression: The Contribution of University Students' Family Functioning During COVID-19.

Abstract

Background: Strengths knowledge refers to individuals' perceptions and recognition of their strengths, and is recognized for its protective role in mental health. Family functioning provides certain environmental conditions for the healthy development of family members in physical, psychological, and social aspects, particularly during stressful periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It also plays an important role in youth's ability to cope with stressful situations. This study aimed to explore the mediating effect of coping strategies and the moderating role of family functioning on the relationship between strengths knowledge and depressive symptoms among university students. Methods: A survey was administered to 1372 university students aged 16-22 years, using the Strengths Knowledge Scale (SKS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), and the general functioning scale. Mediation and moderated mediation effects were analyzed using SPSS 25.0. Results: Strengths knowledge was significantly negatively correlated with depressive symptoms. Both positive and negative coping strategies partially mediated the relationship between them, and family functioning moderated this relationship. Family functioning moderates the relationship between strengths knowledge and negative coping strategies but not between strengths knowledge and positive coping strategies, and it also moderates the relationship between positive and negative coping strategies and depression. Conclusions: The significant contributions of both strengths knowledge and family functioning in defending against youth depression highlight the necessity for interventions that enhance these factors to protect mental health, particularly during pandemic period and other crises.