AUTHOR=Lindert Jutta , Arndt Sarah , Cook Natalie , Bain Paul A. , Kawachi Ichiro 

TITLE=Positive and Negative Family Relationships Correlate With Mental Health Conditions -a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

JOURNAL=Public Health Reviews

VOLUME=Volume 46 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/public-health-reviews/articles/10.3389/phrs.2025.1607381

DOI=10.3389/phrs.2025.1607381

ISSN=2107-6952

ABSTRACT=We aim to investigate the association between family relationships and mental health conditions in adults aged 18+. We conducted a systematic review on associations of family relationships and mental health conditions by searching in databases MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science Core Collection, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts (ProQuest), and PTSDPubs. We calculated the Pearson correlation coefficients and I2 statistics using a random-effects model. Results: Of the 3,707 records screened, 40 with n=35,634 participants met the inclusion criteria (38.5% male, 59.5% female, mean age 39.57), were conducted mostly in North America (n=27). Positive family relationships were investigated in 33 studies, negative relationships in 12 studies. Positive family relationships were not statistically significantly associated with depression (r=-0.071 [-0.256, 0.119], p=0.463, anxiety r=0.026 [-0.032, 0.084], p=0.375) or alcohol abuse (r=0.035 [-0.103, 0.0034], p=0.326). Positive family relationships were statistically significantly associated with illicit drug use (r=0.061 [0.025, 0.096], p=0.001). Negative family relationships were significantly associated with anxiety (r=0.075 [0.019, 0.130], p=0.009), and with depression (r=0.111 [0.033, 0.188], p=0.005). Conclusion: Interventions reducing negative family relationships can potentially strengthen positive mental health.