The Role of Family Functioning in Over-Adaptation and Subjective Well-Being Among Japan’s Youth: The Moderating Effect of Gender Differences and Rumination

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of family functioning on the subjective well-being of Japanese university students, focusing on the serial mediation roles of internal and external aspects of over-adaptation and the moderating effects of gender and rumination. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey of 219 university students, this study gathered data on a variety of factors including family functioning, over-adaptation, subjective well-being, and demographic variables. Key findings indicate that effective family functioning reduces the detrimental impacts of over-adaptation on internal aspects, thereby enhancing students’ subjective well-being. This study substantiates the application of family system theory in developmental psychology, providing empirical support for interventions aimed at improving students’ psychological health. Moreover, it highlights the role of rumination as a significant moderator in the relationship between over-adaptation and subjective well-being, suggesting avenues for further investigation into individual psychological coping mechanisms. This research has profound implications for the development of targeted family interventions and mental health strategies within clinical psychology.

Keywords

• family functioning
• over-adaptation
• subjective well-being
• gender
• rumination