The path analysis model of relations between family cohesion and flexibility, resilience, and mental health of university students

Present study was carried with the aim of examine the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between family cohesion and flexibility with mental health of college students in the form of a causal model. The statistical populations in this study were all graduate students in Science and Research Branch, Kermanshah Islamic Azad University in 2014, which were selected 303 patients (150 female and 153 male) the multistage cluster random sampling method for the sample group. To measure the research variables, used measures of Samani's family cohesion, Shakeri's family flexibility, Conner and Davidson's Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Goldberg & Hillier's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28). The hypothetical model tested through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) by sequential simultaneous regression analyses, with the use of the steps suggested by Baron and Kenny (1986). Results of path analysis, represents meaningful mediating role of resilience in the relationship between family cohesion and flexibility and mental health of students. In addition, the goodness of fit indices GFI, AGFI, RFI, and RMSEA indicated good fitness model and its correspondence with the experimental data. Based on the findings of this research it can concluded that proper functioning of the family in terms of cohesion and flexibility, both directly and by strengthening resilience in children can have a significant role in promoting psychological health level family members.