(WITHDRAWN) The Effects of Parental Relationship and Family Enviornment on the Mental Health Status of Adults from Unconventional Families Who Were Bullied As Children

ABSTRACT

Background and Purpose: The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) estimates that between 1 and 4 and 1 and 3 students in the United States have been bullied in school (HHS, 2017). Bullying is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as any unwanted and repeated aggressive behavior by youth or group of youths that may result in physical, psychological, social, and/or educational harm toward the victimized individual (CDC, 2014). In establishing a uniform definition of bullying, the CDC has facilitated an understanding of bullying that can ultimately lead to the development of programs that can treat and prevent its incidence. While prevention and treatment can help mitigate the effects of bullying, it is equally important to identify the systemic factors that can play a role in alleviating the adverse mental health outcomes associated with bullying. The present study seeks to identify the role that parental relationships and family environment can play on the mental health status of adult children of unconventional families who were bullied as children.

Method:This study is a secondary analysis of the New Family Structures study (NFSS): a cross-sectional study of adults aged 18-39 who grew up in unconventional families in comparison to adults who grew up in families deemed as conventional. Specifically, the study examined the respondents’ experiences growing up in unconventional families including same sex parents, adoptive parents, unmarried/co-habiting parents, and single mothers. The current study analyzed a subsample of participants who reported they were bullied as children (N= 1,186). The variables examined were parental relationship, family environment and mental health problems. The parental relationship variable was assessed through six self-report items and family environment was also assessed using seven self-report questions and each item was rated on a 5-point Likert Scale. Mental health problems were using ten self-report of depressive symptoms as well a “yes or no” response question that assessed for suicidal ideations. A multiple linear regression was conducted to predict depressive symptoms and a binary logistic regression analysis was performed to predict suicidal ideations. Gender and education variables were included as covariates in the regression models.

Results: Results from the multiple linear regression analyses revealed that a positive family environment decreased the risk for depression. Parental relationships variable did not predict any mental health outcomes in adulthood. The results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that individuals with a more positive family environment were also less likely to present with suicidal ideations. The findings from this study indicate that the family context as a whole plays a large role in mental health outcomes.

Implications: Victims of bullying are at high risk for developing mental health problems. Without the proper interventions and support, the mental health problems associated with bullying can persist in to adulthood. It is imperative to establish interventions that address the large role family environment can play in lessening the adverse mental health effects associated with bullying.