Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study uses two longitudinal batches of data to explore the relationship between perceived social support and depression, and the chain mediating effect of gratitude and meaning in life in college students. METHODS: A total of 833 participants completed the questionnaire survey, including perceived social support multidimensional scale, gratitude scale, meaning in Life scale and depression subscale of DASS-21. Among them, 380 were male college students and 453 were female college students. (The mean age of the subjects was 19.43 ± 0.81 years). RESULTS: (1)There is a significant correlation between perceived social support, gratitude, meaning in life and depression. (2)Perceived social support and depression at two time points showed a significant negative correlation. (3)Gratitude and meaning in life played a chain mediating role between perceived social support and depression at two time points. CONCLUSION: Perceived social support can longitudinally and significantly predict depression in college students through the independent mediating effect of gratitude and meaning in life and the chain mediating effect of gratitude and meaning in life. These results provide empirical support for the design of more targeted interventions involving gratitude and meaning in life to combat depression.