The present study examined the parallel multiple mediation effects of emotion dysregulation and positive emotion responses (positive rumination and dampening) on the relationship between alexithymia and depression, as well as the moderating and modera...
The present study examined the parallel multiple mediation effects of emotion dysregulation and positive emotion responses (positive rumination and dampening) on the relationship between alexithymia and depression, as well as the moderating and moderated mediation effects of social support. A total of 300 emerging adults (aged 19–35) participated in a self-report survey, and the PROCESS macro was used to test mediation and moderated mediation models. The results indicated that emotion dysregulation and dampening significantly mediated the relationship between alexithymia and depression, whereas positive rumination did not show a mediating effect. The moderating effects of social support were not significant in the paths involving emotion dysregulation or positive rumination; however, a significant moderated mediation effect of social support was identified in the dampening pathway. These findings suggest that alexithymia contributes to depressive symptoms primarily through difficulties in emotion regulation and tendencies to suppress positive emotions. Moreover, social support may serve as a protective factor by buffering the negative emotional consequences associated with positive emotion suppression. This study provides meaningful implications for understanding emotional vulnerability among individuals with alexithymia and offers foundational insights for developing intervention strategies aimed at preventing and reducing depression.