The effect of major identity on depression among Chinese university students: A moderated mediation model

The mechanisms and boundary conditions through which major identity affects university students' depression remain unclear. To fill this gap, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between major identity and university students' depression, revealing the mediating role of self-esteem in this relationship and the moderating role of perceived social support. A total of 436 Chinese university students participated in this study. The results showed that major identity was significantly and negatively related to depression and significantly and positively related to self-esteem. Self-esteem was significantly and negatively related to depression. Self-esteem mediated the relationship between major identity and university students' depression. Perceived social support not only moderated the relationships between major identity and university students' depression but also moderated the relationship between self-esteem and university students' depression. In addition, perceived social support moderated the mediating effect of self-esteem between major identity and university students' depression. The theoretical and practical implications of this study are discussed in depth.