Does childhood curiosity influence depression in adulthood?

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Depression is a global public health concern.
• Limited research exists on character strengths, specifically childhood curiosity, and adult depression.
• This study examines adult self-perceptions of childhood traits and their link to depression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of childhood curiosity on adult depression.
• To explore gender differences in the mediating mechanisms.
• To assess the moderating role of subjective social status.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2020 China Family Panel Study (N=17,162).
• Assessed childhood curiosity, future confidence, subjective social status, and adult depression.
• Employed moderated mediation analysis using PROCESS 4.1 software.

Main Results:

• Childhood curiosity strongly predicted lower levels of adult depression.
• Future confidence partially mediated the curiosity-depression link in men and fully mediated it in women.
• Subjective social status moderated the association between future confidence and depression.

Conclusions:

• Childhood curiosity demonstrates protective effects against adult depression.
• Future confidence is a key mediator, with gender-specific effects.
• Lower subjective social status amplifies the negative impact of reduced future confidence on depression.