# Impact of depressive tendency on intertemporal decision-making in college students: the moderated mediation effects of perceived stress and self-control

## TL;DR

This study finds that depressive tendencies in college students lead to poor decision-making by increasing stress and reducing self-control.

## Contribution

The study identifies a moderated mediation model linking depressive tendency to intertemporal decision-making through perceived stress and self-control.

## Key findings

- Depressive tendency positively correlates with intertemporal decision-making (r=0.55, p<0.01).
- Perceived stress mediates the relationship between depressive tendency and intertemporal decision-making.
- Self-control is negatively predicted by depressive tendency (r=-0.64, p<0.01).

## Abstract

This study explored how depressive tendencies influence college students’ intertemporal decision-making, focusing on perceived stress and self-control as potential mechanisms to inform intervention strategies.

An online survey using CES-D, Perceived Stress Questionnaire, College Student Self-Control Scale, and Intertemporal Decision-making Scale collected 1,469 responses, with 436 valid ones from students scoring >10 on depressive tendency. Data were analyzed via descriptive, correlation, regression, and moderated mediation tests.

Results showed depressive tendency positively correlated with intertemporal decision-making (r=0.55, p<0.01), positively predicted perceived stress (r=0.64, p<0.01), and negatively predicted self-control (r=-0.64, p<0.01). It directly predicted intertemporal decision-making (direct effect=0.23, 95% CI [0.07, 0.16]) and indirectly through perceived stress and self-control (indirect effect=0.29), forming a “depressive tendency - perceived stress - self-control - intertemporal decision-making” model.

Depressive tendencies drive preference for immediate small rewards via heightened perceived stress and impaired self-control, suggesting interventions should focus on stress management and self-control training.