Social capital, psychological resilience, and psychological distress in Chinese university students: A cross-sectional survey

Background: There is a pressing need to address the rising psychological distress among university students in China. Aims: Our study examines how social capital and psychological resilience could mitigate such distress, addressing a significant gap in the current understanding of university student mental health issues. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey study among 614 university students in China, with pre-registered analyses. Results: Social capital was negatively associated with psychological distress, and psychological resilience served as a mediator, influencing how social capital impacts distress. Male students had higher levels of anxiety and depression than female students, while students from rural areas showed more significant overall psychological distress as compared to their urban counterparts. Conclusion: The findings clarify the relationship between social capital, psychological resilience, and psychological distress in Chinese university students, addressing a key research gap by examining these relationships within the context of China. While the effect sizes are very small, our findings point toward potential practical solutions such as resilience training and stress management programs for universities aiming to enhance student wellbeing and reduce psychological distress.