Exploring the Roles of Dispositional Mindfulness and Cognitive Reappraisal in the Relationship Between Neuroticism and Depression Among Postgraduate Students in China

Lulu Hou; Lei Chang; Lirong Chen; Junfeng Fei; Renlai Zhou

doi:10.3389/ijph.2022.1605074

Exploring the Roles of Dispositional Mindfulness and Cognitive Reappraisal in the Relationship Between Neuroticism and Depression Among Postgraduate Students in China

Int J Public Health. 2022 Aug 25:67:1605074. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1605074. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Lulu Hou^{1

2}, Lei Chang³, Lirong Chen^{1

4}, Junfeng Fei⁵, Renlai Zhou^{1

6}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
² Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China.
³ Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China.
⁴ Department of Psychology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China.
⁵ Institute of Education, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
⁶ State Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and Communication, Communication University of China, Beijing, China.

Abstract

Objectives: Previous studies revealed a positive association between neuroticism and depression. This study further extended the previous findings by exploring the psychological processes underlying this association among Chinese postgraduates. Guided by theoretical models and empirical research, we proposed a multiple mediation and moderated mediation model to investigate the roles of dispositional mindfulness and cognitive reappraisal in the relationship between neuroticism and depression. Methods: Using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, 1103 first-year postgraduates at a comprehensive university in China were surveyed. Path analysis was adopted to test the models. Results: The results showed that dispositional mindfulness mediated the association between neuroticism and depression. Further, this mediating effect was moderated by cognitive reappraisal, with this effect being stronger in individuals with low engagement in cognitive reappraisal. Conclusion: The results support interrelations among neuroticism, depression, dispositional mindfulness, and cognitive reappraisal as moderated mediation rather than multiple mediation. The results enhance our understanding of psychological mechanisms between neuroticism and depression and provide suggestions for interventions to prevent or reduce depression in highly neurotic postgraduates.

Keywords: cognitive reappraisal; depression; dispositional mindfulness; moderated mediation model; neuroticism.

MeSH terms

China
Cognition
Depression / psychology
Humans
Mindfulness*
Neuroticism
Students