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The Dampen Effect of Psychological Capital on Adolescent Depression: a Moderated Mediation Model

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Abstract

Although a growing body of research documents the negative association between psychological capital (PsyCap) and depression, little attention has been paid to the underlying mechanism. The aim of this study was to explore the mediating effect of positive coping, as well as the role of social support as a moderator in this relation between PsyCap and depression in a sample of Chinese adolescents. A total of 209 depressed adolescents (aged 12–17 years, M = 13.28, SD = 4.19) who were interviewed by the experienced doctor according to DSM-IV, completed questionnaires regarding PsyCap, positive coping, social support and depression. The results indicated that the effect of PsyCap on depression was mediated by positive coping only in adolescent girls. Likewise, the mediating effect of adolescent girls’ positive coping was moderated by social support. The specific link between positive coping and depression was stronger for adolescent girls with high social support than for those with low social support. This study helps to elucidate the mechanism underlying the association between PsyCap and depression among Chinese adolescents. Furthermore, when treating depression, clinicians may need to be particularly attentive to target the positive resources development.

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank all the participants in our study.

Funding

This research received support from the Outstanding Youth Program of Education Department of Hunan Province (15B222).

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  1. School of Politics and Law, Shaoyang University, NO. 18 West Baoqing Road, Shaoyang, Hunan Province, China

    Ruijun Song

  2. Department of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, NO. 88 East Wenhua Road, Jinan, Shandong Province, China

    Ruijun Song

  3. Special ward, The First People’s Hospital of Jinzhong, NO. 85 Shuncheng Road, Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, China

    Lijun Song

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Ruijun Song designed the study. Lijun Song performed the study. Ruijun Song analyzed the data and drafted the manuscript. All co-authors have made substantial contributions that meet the stated requirements for authorship.

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Song, R., Song, L. The Dampen Effect of Psychological Capital on Adolescent Depression: a Moderated Mediation Model. Curr Psychol 40, 56–64 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-020-00626-2

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