Author(s)

Zifu Lin ¹, Jiang Xin ², Wang Zhe ¹, Qihui Xiang ¹, Haohan Mao ¹, Jiongyi Hang ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ Department of Preschool Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Xuelin Street, Hangzhou, China
² Department of Preschool Education, Hangzhou Normal University, Yuhangtang Street, Hangzhou, China

Corresponding Author

Zifu Lin

ABSTRACT

In order to clarify the relationship among social comparison effect, depression and interpersonal independence of college students, 159 college students were taken as subjects and assessed by questionnaire survey. Convenience sampling method was adopted to conduct an online survey of college students in Zhejiang province from November 10 to 31, 2022. The measurement tools were Interpersonal Self-reliance Scale, Social Comparative Effect Scale and Baker Self-rating Depression Scale. The moderating effect model of Process3.0 plug-in was used to explore the mode rating effect of interpersonal independence on social comparison and depression. SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis. In this study, we examined the moderating effect of interpersonal independence on the process of social comparison affecting the depressive symptoms of individuals. The results showed that the two dimensions of upward comparison and downward identification played a moderating role, but gender did not play a significant role in this process. Conclusions: Depression is common among college students during the COVID-19 epidemic. It is suggested to pay more attention to depression and interpersonal self-regulation strategies under the social comparison effect of college students.

KEYWORDS

Interpersonal self-reliance, social comparison, depression, college student

CITE THIS PAPER

Zifu Lin, Jiang Xin, Wang Zhe, Qihui Xiang, Haohan Mao, Jiongyi Hang, The Influence of Social Comparison on College Students' Depression: The Moderating Effect of Interpersonal Self-Reliance. Applied & Educational Psychology (2024) Vol. 5: 32-42. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/appep.2024.050305.

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