Awe and depression: The serial mediating role of future self-continuity and the presence of meaning

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between college students’ awe and depression, along with the mediating roles of future self-continuity and presence of meaning. 891 Chinese college students (570 female; mean age 18.59; SD 1.34) from one university completed four surveys: Dispositional Awe Subscale, Future self-continuity Scale, Meaning in Life Scale and Depression Scale. Using structural equation modelling and the bootstrap method, the results delineated that awe negatively related to depression, and future self-continuity and presence of meaning had a serial mediation effect, reducing depression. The study implies educational institutions should foster a positive mental health education environment, urging students to develop positive traits, enhancing well-being and resilience, and facilitating psychological development.