Mediating Model of College Students’ Chinese Zhongyong Culture Thinking Mode and Depressive Symptoms

Abstract

Background: College is a key period for students' learning and development, as they begin independently to face life's adversities. The essence of China's zhongyong culture is to provide a practical way of thinking, a basic principle of the Chinese people. However, empirical research on psychopathology is lacking. The present study investigated Chinese college students to explore and explain the psychological mechanism of depressive symptoms via the zhongyong practical thinking mode. Methods: The study examined the relationship between zhongyong practical thinking and depressive symptoms, coping style, and ruminations of 501 Chinese college students. The statistical software SPSS was used to establish an intermediary model between moderate zhongyong practical thinking and depressive symptoms. Results: Rumination partially mediated the relationship between zhongyong practical thinking and depressive symptoms, but coping style had no mediating effect. Therefore, reducing the negative rumination behaviours of college students may be more conducive to alleviating their depressive symptoms. The chain mediating effect of coping style and rumination was significant. The college students with high levels of zhongyong thinking adopted positive coping styles to cope with various pressures and situations, reducing negative coping and rumination and thereby reducing their depressive symptoms. Discussion: The results of the study could help universities to provide courses and activities that promote students' mental health from the perspective of zhongyong psychological interventions. The results provide a model for further studies of the influence of zhongyong practical thinking on depressive symptoms amongst college students.

The mediating roles of coping styles and academic burnout in the relationship between stressors and depressive symptoms among Chinese postgraduates

“…A negative correlation between positive coping style and depressive symptoms was also identified, revealing the important prevention effect of positive coping style on depressive symptoms. This aligns with the findings of previous reports ( He & Li, 2021 ; Li et al, 2019 ). Possible explanations are that postgraduates who frequently adopt positive coping styles are more adaptable to stressful environments and life changes.…”

“…Those with Zhongyong Practical Thinking can focus on the positive sides of stress events and strengthen their positive coping abilities, thereby alleviating depressive symptoms. Thus, cultivating the Chinese Zhongyong Thinking Mode can be part of a targeted psychological intervention ( He & Li, 2021 ). Developing a special prevention program and cultivating postgraduates’ positive coping styles can help students face challenges and setbacks with a positive and healthy mindset, and imparting the identified positive coping strategies to postgraduates can help them develop positive coping skills and be more flexible in dealing with issues.…”

Exploring cultural and gender differences in moral judgment: A cross-cultural study based on the CNI model

“…This is because of the underlying belief that “if you stand up, you may be opposed by those around you.” Moreover, Chinese women also displayed a similar tendency towards inaction. China has followed the social self-preservation theory since ancient times (Ren, 2008 ) and advocates inactive moderation, which embodies the unique world perspective and values of Chinese Confucian culture, thereby profoundly affecting Chinese people’s thoughts, words, and actions (He & Li, 2021 ). However, surprisingly, Chinese men have shown a preference for action.…”

An Analysis of the Latent Class and Influencing Factors of Death Anxiety Among Han Chinese and Tibetan College Students

“…Proximal defence in the form of vulnerability denial emerged only when participants thought about death, whilst distal defence only emerged when they were distracted from death-related thoughts. The Han ethnic group is predominantly influenced by traditional Confucian and Taoist culture (He & Li, 2021; Zhang et al, 2020) that holds a more negative view of death than Buddhists do, regarding it as bad luck and a taboo that should not be spoken about. Han Chinese engage in primary defence to suppress their fear of death as their cultural worldview cannot provide them with distal defence.…”