Effects of future time perspective on depression in college students: the mediating role of emotional intelligence and moderating role of physical exercise.

Résumé

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates how emotional intelligence mediates the link between future temporal orientation and depressive symptoms in university students and explores whether physical activity moderates this connection.METHOD: Data were collected from 1,014 undergraduate students (490 males and 524 females) across three universities in Fujian Province, China, between 1 March and 5 July 2024. Participants were selected via random sampling and completed the Future Time Perspective Scale, Emotional Intelligence Scale, Physical Activity Rating Scale, and Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Statistical analyses included Pearson's correlation, linear regression, and moderated mediation analysis (PROCESS Model 7) using SPSS 22.0.RESULTS: (1) Future time perspective significantly and negatively predicted depression (β = -0.32, p