Associations between parental autonomy support and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students: the chain-mediating effects of mindfulness and self-esteem

• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1301662
• Publication Date: 2024-05-08T15:46:38Z
• Authors: Ping Tan; Ruijie Wang; Tingli Long; Yaxin Wang; Chunhua Ma; Yongfeng Ma
• Keywords: Association (psychology); Moderated mediation

Introduction Despite extensive research on contextual factors will relieve college students’ depressive symptoms, significant gaps remain in understanding the underlying mechanisms of this relationship, particularly through individual strength such as mindfulness and self-esteem. Based self-determination theory, we explore association between parental autonomy support symptoms among Chinese students whether self-esteem serve mediators. Methods A total 1,182 aged 16 to 27 years ( M age = 20.33, SD 1.63; female 55.7%) participated research. Questionnaires pertaining support, mindfulness, self-esteem, were administered. Results The results revealed that negatively correlated with both paternal maternal acting chain-mediators. Specifically, positively impacted by whereas Furthermore, significantly via direct indirect pathways. Indirect effects included three paths: mediation chain. Discussion study highlights fundamental account for these insights can be used prevent manage mental health problems students. For example, parents’ directly reduce but also indirectly promote emphasizing role