Published online Nov 19, 2024. doi: 10.5498/wjp.v14.i11.1671
Revised: May 22, 2024
Accepted: July 31, 2024
Published online: November 19, 2024
Processing time: 199 Days and 2.3 Hours
Depression is a prevalent psychological issue in adolescents that is significantly related to negative life events (NLEs) and dysfunctional attitudes. High levels of social support can significantly buffer NLEs’ effect on depression. Currently, there is limited research on how social support moderates the relationship between NLEs, dysfunctional attitudes, and depression in adolescents in China. It is imperative to investigate this moderating effect to mitigate dysfunctional attitudes in adolescent undergoing depressive mood, ultimately enhancing their overall mental health.
To investigate the relationship and underlying mechanisms between specific dysfunctional attitudes, social support, and depression among Chinese adole
This is a cross-sectional study which selected five middle schools in Shandong Province for investigation in March 2022. Participants included 795 adolescents (49.87% male, mage = 15.15, SD = 1.84, age range = 11-18 years old). All partici
Results indicated that NLEs affected depression through the mediating role of specific dysfunctional attitudes (autonomy attitudes β = 0.21; perfectionism β = 0.25). Moreover, social support was found to moderate the mediating effect between NLEs, specific dysfunctional attitudes, and depressive symptoms (autonomy attitudes b2 = -0.08; perfectionism b2 = -0.09).
Dysfunctional attitudes mediated and social support moderated the relationship between NLEs and depression. Social support can buffer depression symptoms among adolescents with autonomy attitudes and perfectionism.
Core Tip: Depression is a prevalent psychological issue in adolescents that is significantly related to negative life events (NLEs) and dysfunctional attitudes. Enhancing social support can significantly buffer NLEs’ effect on depression. In this study, 795 adolescents were surveyed to examine the mediating role of specific dysfunctional attitudes. It also examined how social support moderated the relationship between NLEs and depression. This study helps develop a theoretical framework for psychological interventions for adolescents with depression. Autonomy and perfectionism are two components of dysfunctional attitudes found to play a role in depression. Social support can protect against depressive symptoms.