The Impact of Family Support on the Emotional State of College Student

Objective This study aims to explore the impact of family support on the positive and negative emotions among undergraduates, thereby providing empirical evidence for improving their mental health. Methods A survey was conducted among 11,900 undergraduates in Shandong Province from September to December 2024. The research instruments included a general information questionnaire including a Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and a Family Care Index Scale. Linear regression models were utilized to separately examine the effects of family support on undergraduates' positive and negative emotions, and to explore the moderating effect of gender and place of origin in these relationships. Results Grade level, family support, the interaction term between family support and place of origin, and the interaction term between family support and gender exerted significant influences on undergraduates' positive emotions (p < 0.05). Specifically, the interaction between family support and place of origin (β = 0.118, p < 0.05) showed a positive predictive effect, while the interaction between family support and gender (β = -0.201, p < 0.05) presented a negative predictive effect. Additionally, grade level and family support demonstrated positive effects on undergraduates' positive emotions. For negative emotions, gender, grade level, family support, and the interaction term between family support and gender emerged as significant influencing factors (p < 0.05). Notably, the interaction between family support and gender (β = 0.244, p < 0.05) had a positive predictive effect, whereas gender, grade level, and family support displayed negative effects on undergraduates' negative emotions. Conclusion Family support plays a crucial role in undergraduates' emotional well-being, with particularly prominent effects observed among female students and rural students. Higher education institutions should take proactive measures to establish closer connections with students' families, conduct regular education for parents on undergraduates' emotional health, and assist parents in better understanding and meeting their children's emotional needs.​