Table 1.
Characteristics of the selected studies
| Author | Country | Study design | Age (y) | Gender | Participants | Measurement tool: depression | Measurement tool: family function | Cut-off point for family dysfunction | Aim | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nam et al. [23] (2016) | South Korea | Cross | 33-49 | M/F | 304 | CES-D, Korean version | FACES III Korean version | Adaptability and cohesion: high=better functionality | Family functionality and resilience as protective factors in North Korean refugees to develop depressive symptoms | An association was found between family cohesion and the presence of depressive symptoms. At higher cohesion, lower levels of depression were found |
| Saavedra-Gonzalez et al. [20] (2015) | Mexico | Cross | ≥60 | M/F | 220 | Scale of Yesavage | Family APGAR 10 points | <7 dysfunction | Evaluate the association between depression and family functionality in elderly of a family medicine unit | A correlation was found between nuclear type family and family functionality (better functionality) |
| Wang et al. [27] (2015) | China | Cross | 18-80 | M/F | 187 | Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale | APGAR familiar 10 points | <7 dysfunction | Identification of indicators and their correlations with psychological alterations in patients on hemodialysis | By extracting the data from this study, the correlation between family functionality and depression could be found |
| Kim et al. [19] (2015) | South Korea | Cohort | NA | F | 62 | CES-D, Korean version | APGAR familiar 10 points | <7 dysfunction | Analyze the relationship within families made up of immigrant women and identify the relevant factors | The highest depression score was correlated with lower Family Apgar scores |
| De Oliveira et al. [14] (2014) | Brazil | Cross | >60 | M/F | 107 | GDS ver, 15 | Family APGAR, Brazilian version 20 points | Dysfunction <12 | Establish the relationship between family functioning and depressive symptoms in institutionalized elderly | Elderly people with dysfunctional families are more likely to have depressive symptoms |
| Souza et al. [21] (2014) | Brazil | Cross | ≥60 | M/F | 374 | GDS ver. 15 | Family APGAR 10 points | <7 dysfunction | Classify families of elderly with depressive symptoms regarding their functioning and to ascertain the presence of an association between these symptoms, family functioning and the characteristics of the elderly | Significant association between family dysfunction and depressive symptoms in families of the elderly |
| Chang et al. [25] (2014) | China | Cross | NA | F | 213 | CES-D | Family APGAR China 10 points | <7 dysfunction | Determine prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms in mothers with infants or toddlers | Family dysfunction was associated with depressive symptoms |
| Cao et al. [24] (2013) | China | Cross | 25-72 | M/F | 190 | Hamilton Depression Scale | Family APGAR 10 points | <7 dysfunction | Perceived family functioning and depression in bereaved parents in China after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake | A high prevalence of depression associated with family dysfunction was found |
| White et al. [16] (2014) | United Kingdom | Cohort | 12,14,17 | F | 2,379 | CES-D | FACES III | Adaptability and cohesion | Associations between family environment, family cohesion and psychiatric problems in adolescent women | Higher levels of family cohesion are associated with lower levels of depression |
| Nan et al. [18] (2012) | China | Cohort | ≥15 | M/F | 18,907 | Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Chinese version | Family APGAR, Chinese version 10 points | <7 dysfunction | Prevalence of depressive symptoms, risk factors in chronic medical conditions and the possible protective role of family relationships | Depressive symptoms were higher by number of conditions, stress, and dissatisfaction with family support. Family support had a protective factor |
| Sun et al. [26] (2011) | China | Cross | 15-25 | M/F | 10,140 | Beck Depression Inventory | Family APGAR 10 points Chinese version | <7 dysfunction | Assessment of the prevalence of psychological symptoms and social relationships among Chinese medical students | Better family functionality resulted in fewer depressive symptoms |
| Lin et al. [17] (2008) | Taiwan | Cohort | 16–Dec | M/F | 12,210 | CES-D, Chinese-Mandarin version | Family APGAR, Chinese version 10 points | <7 dysfunction | Depression and its association with self-esteem, family, peer, and school factors in a population of adolescents | Family dysfunction was associated with an increased risk of depression |
| Pérez Milena et al. [22] (2007) | Spain | Cross | 17–Dec | M/F | 405 | Goldberg Anxiety and Depression | Family APGAR 10 points | <7 dysfunction | Determination of the structure and function of adolescents’ families and | Family dysfunction associated with increased toxic consumption, anxiety |
| Peralta-Pedrero et al. [15] (2006) | Mexico | Cross | 20–59 | F | 400 | CES-D | Family APGAR 10 points | 6 dysfunction | Determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in adult women attending family medicine and explore the associated risk factors | Family dysfunction was found as a risk factor for depressive symptoms |
Cross, cross-sectional; M, male; F, female; CES-D, Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression; FACES III, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III; APGAR, Adaptability, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve; NA, not available; GDS, Geriatric Depression Scale.