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Abstract
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Aims: This study aims to explore the temporal relationships among family functioning, basic psychological needs, and depression, to examine whether youth depression is more influenced by external environmental factors or internal psychological processes. Methods: A six-month longitudinal study was conducted with 1,579 Chinese youth (53.8% girls; Mage at T1 = 19.24, SD = 1.99). Cross-lagged panel analyses were employed to investigate the bidirectional associations among family functioning, basic psychological needs, and depression. Results and Conclusions: After controlling for age, gender, and childhood maltreatment, the results showed a bidirectional association between enhanced family functioning and greater satisfaction of basic psychological needs. In contrast, basic psychological needs and depression exhibited a mutual negative predictive relationship. These findings highlight the critical role of fulfilling basic psychological needs in alleviating depressive symptoms and maintaining healthy family functioning.
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