The Effects of Perceived Family Strengths and Friend Attachment on Psychological Well-being among College Students

대학생이 지각한 가족건강성과 친구애착이 심리적 안녕에 미치는 영향

Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to examine how family strengths affect friend attachment and psychological well-being among college students and to analyze the relative influence of these two variables on psychological well-being. Method: Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire method from 362 university students in four different regions. The data were analyzed through various statistical methods such as t and F tests, Pearson's correlation analyses, and multiple regression analyses. Results: First, there were significant differences in the level of psychological well-being according to gender and the monthly family income, showing that males and higher family income group reported greater psychogocal-well-being level. Males also reported lower level of anxious attachment. Second, correlational analyses results indicated that college students' psychological well-being was positively related with family strengths and secure attachment, and was negatively correlated with avoidant and anxious attachment. Finally, the results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that college student's psychological well-being was influenced by family communication, secure attachment, and anxious attachment, showing that anxious attachment was the most influential variable. Conclusions: This study suggests the importance of providing education and/or counseling services focusing on strengthening the positive relationship with their friends and on increasing the family communication for college students' psychological well-being.