TY - EJOU AU - Wang, Jingjing AU - Guan, Xiangli AU - Yin, Sumei AU - Shen, Sha AU - Li, Xuejiao AU - Ahmed, Md Zahir AU - Jobe, Mary C. AU - Ahmed, Oli TI - The Influence of Body Investment on Depression in Chinese College Students: A Moderated Mediating Effect T2 - International Journal of Mental Health Promotion PY - 2022 VL - 24 IS - 1 SN - 2049-8543 AB - An individual’s perception, attitude, feeling and behavior about their body are important factors for mental health (depression). This study aims to explore the impact of body investment on depression, and the role of self-efficacy and self-esteem in this connection. A hypothetical model about the relationship between body investment, selfefficacy, self-esteem and depression was tested. Using convenient sampling methods, a self-rated cross-sectional survey comprised of paper-based and online modes was conducted among 1,164 college students in Yunnan Province, China from July 2021 to August 2021. The data collection used the body investment scale, self-efficacy scale, self-esteem scale and depression scale. The results show that there is a low to moderate positive correlation (ranging between –0.11 and –0.59) between the research variables. The body investment of college students has a negative predictive effect (B = 16.23, SE = 0.65) on depression. This connection is also regulated by the mediating role of self-esteem and self-efficacy. All these factors explain 37.83% variability of research participation. These findings show how body investment affects the depressive state of college students. Further, these results help to demonstrate that self-efficacy and self-esteem are academically important for optimizing students’ depression, so as to promote a good mental state. KW - Depression; body investment; self-esteem; self-efficacy DO - 10.32604/ijmhp.2022.019635