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Linear self-acceptance and nonlinear social comparison: interacting influences on adolescent depression
Qian-Nan Ruan1, Guang-Hui Shen1, Yu-Wei Wu2
1Wenzhou Seventh People's Hospital, Wenzhou, China.
BMC Psychiatry
|May 15, 2025
Summary
High self-acceptance protects adolescents from depression by moderating social comparison effects. Moderate social comparison is beneficial, but excessive comparison, even with high self-acceptance, can be detrimental.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Mental Health
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Low self-acceptance is linked to adolescent depression.
- Social comparison significantly shapes adolescent self-concept.
- The interactive and non-linear effects of self-acceptance and social comparison on adolescent depression require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the correlation between self-acceptance and depressive symptoms.
- To investigate the moderating role of self-acceptance in the relationship between social comparison and depression.
- To explore the non-linear relationship between social comparison and depression at varying levels of self-acceptance.
Main Methods:
- Dyadic polynomial regression analysis and response surface analysis were employed.
- The study included 243 adolescents undergoing psychiatric assessment.
- These methods assessed linearity, nonlinearity, and interaction effects among self-acceptance, social comparison, and depression.
Main Results:
- A strong negative correlation was found between self-acceptance and depression.
- Self-acceptance negatively correlated with social comparison.
- Non-linear relationships were observed: moderate social comparison was beneficial, while excessive comparison was detrimental. High self-acceptance appeared to buffer negative social comparison effects.
Conclusions:
- Self-acceptance plays a crucial protective role against adolescent depression.
- Social comparison has complex, non-linear effects on depression.
- Interventions should focus on promoting self-acceptance and balanced social comparison strategies for adolescent mental health.
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