The mediating role of coping strategies between depression and social support and the moderating effect of the parent–child relationship in college students returning to school: During the period of the regular prevention and control of COVID-19

OBJECTIVE: According to the WHO, compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, young people showed a significant increase in depressive symptoms. In light of the recent coronavirus pneumonia pandemic, this study was conducted to determine how social support, coping style, parent-child relationships, and depression are associated. We investigated how these factors interacted and affected the prevalence of depression during this challenging and unheard-of time. Our research may help both individuals and healthcare professionals better comprehend and assist those who are coping with the pandemic’s psychological effects. DESIGN AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 3,763 students from a medical college in Anhui Province were investigated with Social Support Rate Scale, Trait Coping Style Questionnaire, and Self-rating Depression Scale. RESULTS: When the pandemic situation was normalizing, social support was associated with depression and the coping style of college students (p < 0.01). During the period of pandemic normalization, the parent–child relationship moderated the relationship between social support and positive coping (t = −2.45, p < 0.05); the parent–child relationship moderated the relationship between social support and negative coping (t = −4.29, p < 0.01); and the parent–child relationship moderated the association between negative coping and depression (t = 2.08, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Social support has an impact on depression in the period of the regular prevention and control of COVID-19 through the mediating role of coping style and the moderating effect of the parent–child relationship.