Abstract
PURPOSE: With the intensification of social competition, the phenomenon of academic credential inflation has become increasingly severe, highlighting the growing importance of education. Although existing research has focused on individual factors related to academic anxiety, the roles of family functioning, emotional stability, and social support in alleviating academic anxiety remain underexplored. In particular, these factors may exert different influences across diverse cultural contexts. Given the prevalence of academic anxiety in adolescents, this study examines the role of family functioning as mediated by emotional stability and social support. It aims to provide practitioners with effective intervention strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study conducted a questionnaire survey among 456 college students to assess their family functioning, social support, emotional stability, and academic anxiety. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The findings revealed significant negative correlations between family functioning, emotional stability, social support, and academic anxiety. After controlling for demographic variables, emotional stability and social support were found to play a chain mediating role in the relationship between family functioning and academic anxiety. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the important role of family functioning in reducing academic anxiety among adolescents, mediated by emotional stability and social support. The findings provide actionable insights for parents and educators to foster a supportive environment that reduces academic stress.