Mental health challenges among college students have reached alarming levels globally, with Chinese students facing unique cultural and educational pressures. Family support plays a crucial role in psychological well-being, yet limited research has examined how demographic factors moderate this relationship in the Chinese context. This study investigated the moderating effects of gender and age on the relationship between family caring attitudes and psychological well-being among college students in Shanxi, China. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted with 697 college students (51.9% female, 48.1% male; ages 18-22) from 10 institutions in Shanxi province. Standardized questionnaires measured family caring attitudes (emotional support, communication, supportive environment, conflict resolution) and psychological well-being (self-acceptance, positive relationships, environmental mastery, personal growth). Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-square tests, and ordinal regression. Participants reported moderate to high psychological well-being levels, with emotional support being the highest-rated family caring dimension (M=3.77). A significant relationship was found between family caring attitudes and psychological well-being (?²=4102.514, p<0.001). Contrary to expectations, neither gender nor age significantly moderated this relationship, and no significant demographic differences were observed in either variable. Family caring attitudes significantly influence psychological well-being among Chinese college students, regardless of gender or age. These findings suggest that family support interventions may benefit all students universally, transcending demographic differences in the Chinese cultural context.
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