Family Strengths and Depression in Families of People with Mental Illness : The Mediating Effect of Disability Acceptance

The objective of this study is to analyze the mediating effect of the acceptance of mental illness perceived by the family in the relationship between family health and depression among families of people with mental illness. To this end, the data from the 5th (2022) Korean Disabled Persons Development Institute's Life of the Disabled Panel Survey was used, and the data of 275 families of people with mental illness were analyzed. The study's findings indicate that family health exerts a substantial influence on depression among families of individuals with mental illness. Furthermore, the study suggests that acceptance of mental disabilities partially mediates the relationship between family health and depression, indicating that enhancing family health leads to a more positive attitude towards acceptance of mental disabilities, which in turn contributes to a reduction in depression levels among family members. Specifically, the study found that acceptance of disabilities plays a crucial role in fostering emotional stability and psychological resilience among family members. These findings have significant practical implications for the development of effective depression prevention strategies in families of people with mental disabilities.