Family Structure, Relationships and Mental Health: A Case Study of High School Students in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the association between family structure, family relationships, and mental health of high school students in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. This quantitative survey is carried out using probability sampling technique. Questionnaire was distributed to 1,082 high school students from three schools under the Kanchanaburi High School Educational Service Area Office VIII and collected during academic year 2012. The multiple regression analysis shows that family factors significantly affect high school students’ mental health p< 0.05. This finding indicates that the better the family relationship, the better mental health of high school students. Accordingly, the result of this study supports the building positive (good) family relationships. Families, whose members express their love and care for each other in various ways including talk things through, hold regular family discussions, participate in family decision making and maintain their appropriate role in their family, will help improving mental health of high school students. Family activities should be organized in line with the context of daily life of each family member. In the future study, family relationship indicators should be developed in the context of activities and lifestyle of the family in each region.