Chain mediating roles of rumination and emotion regulation self-efficacy in the relationship between social support and depression among college students

Abstract This study explores the relationship between social support(SS) and depression in college students, focusing on the mediating roles of rumination and emotion regulation self-efficacy (ERSE). A survey was conducted with 1,433 Chinese university students (53.3% male, M = 20.02, SD = 1.78) fro...

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Main Authors: Zhongzheng Hu, Junliang Zhang, Shuang Zheng, Yixuan Deng, Chuangang Wan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07176-2
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author Zhongzheng Hu
Junliang Zhang
Shuang Zheng
Yixuan Deng
Chuangang Wan
author_facet Zhongzheng Hu
Junliang Zhang
Shuang Zheng
Yixuan Deng
Chuangang Wan
author_sort Zhongzheng Hu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study explores the relationship between social support(SS) and depression in college students, focusing on the mediating roles of rumination and emotion regulation self-efficacy (ERSE). A survey was conducted with 1,433 Chinese university students (53.3% male, M = 20.02, SD = 1.78) from four universities in Jiangxi Province. Participants completed the SS Scale, Rumination Thinking Scale, Emotion Regulation Self-efficacy Scale, and Self-Rating Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 for descriptive and regression analysis, with mediation effects tested via the PROCESS macro. (1) SS negatively affected depression in college students (β = -0.12, t = -5.8, p < 0.001). (2) Rumination and ERSE independently mediated the relationship between SS and depression.The mediation effect values are 0.15 and 0.03, respectively, and the 95% confidence intervals do not include 0. (3) Rumination and ERSE also played a chain-mediating role in this relationship.The chain mediation effect values are 0.01, and the 95% confidence interval does not include 0. This study highlights the psychological mechanisms through which SS influences depression in college students, providing valuable insights for interventions aimed at preventing depression in this population.
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spelling doaj-art-d24ea1bbd1824b5cb2407842ac1dd49d2025-08-20T04:01:41ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511910.1038/s41598-025-07176-2Chain mediating roles of rumination and emotion regulation self-efficacy in the relationship between social support and depression among college studentsZhongzheng Hu0Junliang Zhang1Shuang Zheng2Yixuan Deng3Chuangang Wan4Science and Technology College, Nanchang Hangkong UniversityScience and Technology College, Nanchang Hangkong UniversityScience and Technology College, Nanchang Hangkong UniversityScience and Technology College, Nanchang Hangkong UniversityScience and Technology College, Nanchang Hangkong UniversityAbstract This study explores the relationship between social support(SS) and depression in college students, focusing on the mediating roles of rumination and emotion regulation self-efficacy (ERSE). A survey was conducted with 1,433 Chinese university students (53.3% male, M = 20.02, SD = 1.78) from four universities in Jiangxi Province. Participants completed the SS Scale, Rumination Thinking Scale, Emotion Regulation Self-efficacy Scale, and Self-Rating Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 for descriptive and regression analysis, with mediation effects tested via the PROCESS macro. (1) SS negatively affected depression in college students (β = -0.12, t = -5.8, p < 0.001). (2) Rumination and ERSE independently mediated the relationship between SS and depression.The mediation effect values are 0.15 and 0.03, respectively, and the 95% confidence intervals do not include 0. (3) Rumination and ERSE also played a chain-mediating role in this relationship.The chain mediation effect values are 0.01, and the 95% confidence interval does not include 0. This study highlights the psychological mechanisms through which SS influences depression in college students, providing valuable insights for interventions aimed at preventing depression in this population.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07176-2Social supportRuminationEmotion regulation self-efficacyDepressionCollege students
spellingShingle Zhongzheng Hu
Junliang Zhang
Shuang Zheng
Yixuan Deng
Chuangang Wan
Chain mediating roles of rumination and emotion regulation self-efficacy in the relationship between social support and depression among college students
Scientific Reports
Social support
Rumination
Emotion regulation self-efficacy
Depression
College students
title Chain mediating roles of rumination and emotion regulation self-efficacy in the relationship between social support and depression among college students
title_full Chain mediating roles of rumination and emotion regulation self-efficacy in the relationship between social support and depression among college students
title_fullStr Chain mediating roles of rumination and emotion regulation self-efficacy in the relationship between social support and depression among college students
title_full_unstemmed Chain mediating roles of rumination and emotion regulation self-efficacy in the relationship between social support and depression among college students
title_short Chain mediating roles of rumination and emotion regulation self-efficacy in the relationship between social support and depression among college students
title_sort chain mediating roles of rumination and emotion regulation self efficacy in the relationship between social support and depression among college students
topic Social support
Rumination
Emotion regulation self-efficacy
Depression
College students
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07176-2
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