Gender As Mediator in the Relationships between National Belongingness, Family Cohesion Adaptation, and Mental Resilience

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between national belongingness and family cohesion and adaptation and mental resilience, and to test a moderating effect of gender. Participants were invited via Email, Facebook and WhatsApp to participate in the study. The cross-sectional sample in the study was made up of 1,716 participants (63.7% females), with a mean age of 29.2 years (SD=10.33 years). The questionnaire included three main scales: the Mental Flexibility Inventory scale, the Family Adaptation and Cohesion scale, and the National Belongingness scale – as well as the demographics. Independent t-tests were computed to examine gender differences. Path analyses were used to determine the associations between the variables and to test the moderation of gender. Results showed that females had greater mental resilience and family cohesion than males, and males reported greater family adaptation than females. In terms of associations, a sense of national belongingness was positively related to mental resilience, family cohesion predicted better resilience, and a moderating effect of gender was observed. The study recommended that interventions to increase family cohesion and adaptation, national belongingness, and mental resilience in people should be gender directed.