Background Previous studies have shown that social support can alleviate depressive symptoms of depression patients and enhance an individual’s empathy levels. Higher empathy levels are associated with a lower likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms. Currently, the relationship between social support, empathy, and depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) remains unclear. Objective To explore the effecting path of empathy in the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms in patients with MDD, so as to provide references for clinical treatment of MDD patients. Methods A total of 126 patients with MDD who met the diagnostic criteria for MDD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition(DSM-5) were selected as subjects. These patients were treated at the psychiatric and psychological outpatient departments of Tianjin Anding Hospital from July 2020 to September 2022. Hamilton Depression Scale-17 item (HAMD-17), Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) were used for assessment. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlations among the scale scores. Path analysis was performed using Model 4 of the Process v3.4.1 plugin and the bootstrap method was used to test the effecting path. Results Among MDD patients, the total HAMD-17 score was positively correlated with the total IRI score and its subscales of fantasy and personal distress (r=0.212, 0.196, 0.183, P<0.05). The total HAMD-17 score was negatively correlated with the total SSRS score and its subscales of subjective support and support utilization (r=-0.211, -0.181, -0.208, P<0.05). The score of support utilization subscale of SSRS was positively correlated with the total IRI score and its subscale of perspective taking and empathic concern (r=0.257, 0.261, 0.331, P<0.01). Empathy served as a effecting path between support utilization and depressive symptoms, with an indirect effect of 0.217 (95% CI: 0.060~0.426) and an effect size of 36.90%. Conclusion Empathy may serve as the pathway between support utilization and depressive symptoms in patients with MDD. |