Mediating Role of Emotional Neglect and Self-Injurious Behaviors in the Relationship Between Family Satisfaction and Depression

The current research is aimed at investigating the mediating role of emotional neglect and self-injurious behaviors in the association between family satisfaction and depressive symptoms in 312 undergraduates (45% boys and 55% girls) in the age range of 14–19 years (M = 17.23, SD = 1.02). The measures include the Emotional Neglect Scale, Self-Injurious Behaviors Scale, Family Satisfaction Scale, and Depressive Symptomatology Scale for Adolescents and a Demographic Performa. Results indicated that emotional neglect and self-injurious behaviors fully mediated the relationship between family satisfaction and depressive symptoms in college students. These findings have very important implications for counselors to provide tailor-made intervention plans and provide preventative measures to avoid serious consequences of depression.