Relationships between social identity, social support, self-efficacy and depressive tendencies among university students in Yunnan Province, China

This study aimed to determine the relationships between social identity, social support, self-efficacy, and depressive tendencies among university students in Yunnan Province, China. It employed quantitative methodology and used a survey to perform descriptive and inferential analyses. In addition, the study employed mediator analysis to assess the impact of self-efficacy as a mediator on the link between the independent variables and the dependent variable. 468 university students aged 18 to 23 from two universities in Yunnan Province were selected for this study. Data were collected via a survey that involved a self-administered questionnaire. The respondents were selected using a multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected using a set of questionnaires that included socio-demographic information, the Personal and Social Identity Scales (subscale of Social Identity), the Perceived Social Support Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. The Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient values obtained from all instruments ranged from 0.867 to 0.976. The statistical analyses used were t-test, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and Bootstrap tests. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents exhibited a moderate level of social identity, along with high levels of social support and self-efficacy. In terms of depressive tendencies, most respondents reported either no or very mild depressive symptoms, followed by severe depressive tendencies. The results revealed that there were significant differences in social identity, social support, self-efficacy, and depressive tendencies between males and females. Males exhibited a higher level of social identity, social support, and self-efficacy than females. Additionally, females have higher depressive tendencies than males. Findings also indicated that social identity, social support, and self-efficacy have a negative significant relationship with depressive tendencies (r=-0.398 to r=-0.405, p<0.001). The findings also revealed a positive significant relationship between social identity and social support with self-efficacy (r=0.398 to r=0.466, p<0.001). The multiple regression analysis indicated that predictor variables, namely social identity, social support, and self-efficacy, significantly predicted depressive tendencies [R2 = 0.255, F = 52.995, p<0.001]. The results show that social identity was the most important predictor of depressive tendencies, followed by social support and self-efficacy. The Bootstrap test suggested that self-efficacy is not only the mediator of the relationship between social identity and depressive tendencies but also the mediator of the relationship between social support and depressive tendencies. In conclusion, social identity, social support, and self-efficacy were found to be related to and predictive of depressive tendencies among university students in Yunnan Province, China. Enhancing positive social identity, stable social support, and optimistic self-efficacy can help reduce depressive tendencies. Addressing these factors is crucial for alleviating negative emotions, supporting personal growth, and promoting psychological well-being. Understanding the mediating role of self-efficacy offers valuable insights for designing interventions aimed at reducing depressive tendencies.

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