The Effects of Family-of-Origin Health on Beliefs About Childbearing Among Unmarried Individuals: The Mediating Effect of Depression
10.21896/jkmch.2025.29.1.21
- Author:
Eun-Joo LEE
1
Author Information
1. Department of Nursing, Kyungnam University, Changwon, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:
Journal of Korean Maternal and Child Health
2025;29(1):21-28
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Family-of-origin health and depression are crucial factors influencing beliefs about childbearing among unmarried individuals. This study explored the mediating role of depression in the relationship between family-oforigin health and beliefs about childbearing among unmarried individuals.
Methods:This study included 219 unmarried individuals aged 20 to 40, selected using convenience sampling from a university and church in Changwon city, Korea. Data were collected between June 1 and July 31, 2023, using structured questionnaires assessing family-of-origin health, depression, and beliefs about childbearing. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, 1-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and the PROCESS macro model 4.
Results:The average age of the study participants was 25.60±4.20 years. The sample comprised 135 females (61.6%) and 84 males (38.4%). Beliefs about childbearing were significantly positively correlated with family-oforigin health (r=0.21, p=0.002) and significantly negatively correlated with depression (r=-0.30, p<0.001). Familyof- origin health was also significantly negatively correlated with depression (r=-0.38, p<0.001). Depression acted as a mediator in the relationship between family-of-origin health and beliefs about childbearing among unmarried individuals, with an indirect effect of 0.04, and a 95% confidence interval of 0.01 to 0.08.
Conclusion:This study identified the family-of-origin health as a significant pathway influencing unmarried individuals' mental health and beliefs about childbearing. These findings have implications for interventions to address the declining birth rate.
