Effect of Family Cohesion on Depression of Chinese College Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Chain Mediation Effect of Perceived Social Support and Intentional Self-Regulation

Individuals’perceptions,attitudes,and patterns of getting along with family members are important factors influencing Chinese people’s self-evaluation.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of family cohesion on depression and the role of perceived social support and intentional self-regulation in this association.A hypothesized model of the association of family cohesion,perceived social support,intentional self-regulation,and depression was examined.A convenience sampling method was used to survey 1,180 college students in Yunnan Province using self-report.Data were collected using the Family Cohesion Scale,the Perceived Social Support Scale,the Intentional Self-Regulation Scale,and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale.The findings revealed low to moderate correlation between the variables studied.College students’family cohesion was a negative predictor of their depression.This association was also mediated by the knock-on effect of perceived social support and intentional self-regulation.These findings show how family cohesion affects college students’depressive status.Specifically,these results help demonstrate the importance of family cohesion,perceived social support,and intentional self-regulation in optimizing students’depression,which in turn can promote better psychological states.