مدل اثر ارتباط اجتماعی مثبت و منفی بر افسردگی افراد جوان: نقش میانجی احساس تنهایی و تجربیات لذت‌بخش

آمنه سادات   موسوی; مسعود شهبازی; امین   کرایی; منصور   سودانی

Authors

Ameneh Sadat Mosavi Mosavi Department of Counseling, Ahv.C., Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1564-2266
Masoud Shahbazi Department of Counseling, MaS.C., Islamic Azad University, Masjed Soleiman, Iran.
Amin Koraei Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0949-7135
Mansour Sodani Professor, Department of Counselling, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3119-3808

Keywords:

Positive social relationship, negative social relationship, depression, loneliness, pleasurable experiences, young adults

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Depression in young adulthood is a major mental health concern that may be influenced by the quality of social relationships and emotional experiences. The present study aimed to develop and test a model of the effect of positive and negative social relationships on depression among young adults, with loneliness and pleasurable experiences as mediating variables.

Methodology: This study used a descriptive-correlational design and structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of young men and women aged 18 to 25 years in Shiraz, among whom 368 participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Positive and Negative Social Relationship Perception Questionnaire, the short form of the Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale, the Pleasurable Experiences Inventory, and the short form of the Beck Depression Inventory. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS version 23 through Pearson correlation coefficients, model fit indices, path analysis, and bootstrap mediation testing.

Findings: The results showed that depression had a significant negative relationship with positive social relationship and a significant positive relationship with negative social relationship and loneliness. Depression was also significantly and negatively associated with pleasurable experiences. Model fit indices confirmed the desirable fit of the final model: χ²/df=2.06, CFI=0.97, IFI=0.96, GFI=0.95, AGFI=0.92, and RMSEA=0.052. Path analysis indicated that positive social relationship had a significant negative effect on loneliness and depression and a significant positive effect on pleasurable experiences. Negative social relationship had a significant positive effect on loneliness and depression and a significant negative effect on pleasurable experiences. Loneliness had a significant positive effect on depression, whereas pleasurable experiences had a significant negative effect on depression. The mediating roles of loneliness and pleasurable experiences in the relationship between positive and negative social relationships and depression were also confirmed.

Conclusion: The findings indicated that the quality of young adults’ social relationships is associated with depression through interpersonal and emotional mechanisms. Therefore, strengthening positive social relationships, reducing negative social relationships, decreasing loneliness, and enhancing pleasurable experiences may play an effective role in preventing and reducing depression among young adults.

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