Could a Growth Mindset Attenuate the Link Between Family Socioeconomic Status and Depressive Symptoms? Evidence from Chinese Adolescents

Purpose: The alleviating effects of a growth mindset on depression are promising. However, whether a growth mindset can attenuate the effect of low family socioeconomic status (SES) on depressive symptoms among adolescents remains unknown. Based on the Family Stress Model, the current study explores whether a growth mindset could moderate the associations between family SES, interparental conflict, and adolescent depressive symptoms. Methods: The participants were 1572 Chinese adolescents (M-age = 13.35 years, SD = 1.16, 51.84% female). They completed the family SES questionnaire, Children's Perceptions of Interparental Conflict scale, Growth Mindset scale, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. We tested the moderation, mediation, and moderated mediation models using the SPSS macro program PROCESS. Results: A growth mindset moderated the association between family SES and depressive symptoms. Family SES was significantly related to depressive symptoms in adolescents with a lower growth mindset, but not in those with a higher growth mindset. After incorporating the mediating effect of interparental conflict, the growth mindset did not exert a significant moderating influence on the direct path; however, it significantly moderated the mediating effect of interparental conflict on depressive symptoms. Specifically, while a lower growth mindset in adolescents was associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms due to interparental conflict, those with a higher growth mindset showed a less pronounced effect. Conclusion: A growth mindset attenuates the link between family SES and depressive symptoms among adolescents. These findings highlight the benefits of a growth mindset on mental health, especially for low-SES adolescents.