The relationship between perceived social support and psychological resilience in Chinese adolescent Judo athletes: a cross-sectional study on the mediating role of depression and the moderating role of age

The findings demonstrate that perceived social support enhances psychological resilience in adolescent judo athletes, largely by alleviating symptoms of depression. The moderating effect of age suggests that the efficacy of social support in buffering against depression may vary across different developmental stages. These results highlight the importance of fostering strong support systems for young athletes, with a potential need for age-tailored mental health interventions. Future research should explore these dynamics using longitudinal designs and in diverse athlete populations.