The interrelation between major depressive symptoms and ambivalence over emotional expression among college students: a network perspective on gender differences.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Major depressive disorder is a common and severe mental disorder among college students. Meanwhile, depressive symptoms and ambivalence over emotional expression are closely related, while little research explores their bidirectional relationship. To address this gap, the current study employed a network approach to identify the interrelation between depressive symptoms and ambivalence over emotional expression among college students.

Methods

Initially, 2,103 college students were recruited and completed the patient health questionnaire (PHQ) -9 and the ambivalence over emotional expression questionnaire (AEQ). In the final analysis, 1,362 college students passed the attention check and were included (674 females; age: Mean = 18.61, SD = 0.84). The

SUBMITTER: Chen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12484036 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature