Do good things happen to good people? Agreeable individuals are more likely to be depressed under competition

There is no consistent conclusion on the relationship between agreeableness and depression, which may arise from researchers not adequately accounting for the influence of the social environment. At present, the world is a competitive world, between countries and between people. Therefore, the present study proposed that perceived competitiveness could moderate the relationship between agreeableness and depression. Furthermore, guilt may be an important mediating factor between agreeableness and depression. The present study explored these hypotheses using a Chinese sample (N = 602, 51% males, M = 21.73). The results indicated that agreeableness negatively predicted depression, but agreeable individuals were more likely to be depressed when they perceived high competitiveness. In addition, agreeableness can predict depression through the mediating role of guilt. When agreeable individuals live in a fiercely competitive environment, they will experience more guilt, which could lead to depression. Chinese culture values and respects agreeableness. However, good people will encounter a greater risk of depression when facing a competitive environment. Thus, the impact of the prevailing competitive environment on agreeable individuals' mental health needs more attention.