The Effects of Depression and Anxiety on Happiness of Children in Out-of-Home Care: Focused on Moderating Effect of Resilience

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate moderating effect of resilience on the effects of depression and anxiety on happiness and to identify the three different out-of-home care placement types-specific differences. For these purpose, the data were analyzed for 715 of the out-of-home care children. To verify the research hypothesis, a reliability test, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, t-test, F-test, hierarchical regression analysis were conducted using SPSS 21. The major findings of this research are as follows. First, a hierarchical regression analysis of all out-of-home care children showed that depression and anxiety had a negative(-) effect on happiness and resilience had a positive(+) effect on happiness. Also the interaction terms had a significant impact on happiness. This identified the function of the resilience as a moderating effect. Second, the results of hierarchical regression analysis by type of out-of-home care showed that in all types, depression and anxiety had a significant negative effect on happiness and resilience had a positive effect on happiness. However, moderating effect of resilience was significant only in child care facilities and group homes. The results of this study showed that efforts were needed to improve the happiness and resilience of out-of-home care children and the needs for psychological and emotional intervention that can reduce anxiety and depression.