Chain mediating effect of negative core schemas and interpersonal sensitivity on the relationship between adult attachment and depressive symptoms among college students

Depression is the most common and influential psychological disorder among college students. This study constructed a chain mediation model to test whether negative core schemas and interpersonal sensitivity play mediating roles in adult attachment and depressive symptoms. A total of 457 participants were recruited from three universities in Central China. They completed the Experiences in Close Relationship Scale, Brief Core Schema Scale, Short-Form Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. The results showed: (1) There were significant positive correlations between attachment anxiety/avoidance and symptoms of depression; (2) College students’ depressive symptoms were influenced by attachment anxiety and avoidance through three pathways: the mediating role of negative core schemas, the mediating role of interpersonal sensitivity, and the chain-mediating role of both negative core schemas and interpersonal sensitivity. These findings provide preliminary data to support future research on the internal mechanisms through which adult attachment affects depressive symptoms from integrative and cognitive interpersonal perspectives. This research also suggests that universities should identify college students with attachment anxiety/avoidance at an early stage and provide timely interventions to reduce negative core schemas and interpersonal sensitivity, thus minimizing future depressive symptoms.