Mediating and moderating role of neuroticism and self-blame in the relationship between maternal severe punishment and depressive symptoms in nursing major students: A mixed model analysis

Objective To explore the mediating and moderating role of neuroticism and self-blame in the relationship between maternal severe punishment and depressive symptoms by using a mixed model. Methods Totally 378 nursing major students were tested with Symptom Checklist 90, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Parental Rearing Style Assessment Scale and Coping Style Questionnaire. Results Neuroticism and self-blame were mediating variables and moderating variables between maternal severe punishment and depressive symptoms. In the mediated moderating model of maternal severe punishment and depressive symptoms, when neuroticism acted as a mediator, self-blame had a regulatory effect on depressive symptoms as a regulatory variable. In the moderated mediating model of maternal severe punishment and depressive symptoms, when self-blame acted as a mediator, neuroticism had a moderating effect on depressive symptoms, and only regulated the latter half of the mediation pathway. Conclusion When maternal severe punishment has an effect on depressive symptoms through neuroticism, this process is regulated by self-blame, that is to say, the higher the degree of self-blame is, the more significant the regulatory effect on depressive symptoms is. When maternal severe punishment has an effect on depressive symptoms through self-blame, that is to say, the higher the level of neuroticism is, the more significant the regulatory effect on depressive symptoms is.