Relationship between stress response and depression in vocational medical school students in the COVID-19 epidemic: A moderated mediation model

To investigate the relationship between stress response and depression in vocational medical school students at the initial stage of COVID-19 epidemic, and to explore the mediating role of meaning in life and the moderating role of prosocial behavior. The COVID-19 Stress Response Questionnaire, the Meaning in Life Questionnaire, the Prosocial Behavior Scale and the Depression Scale, were used to investigate 3526 vocational medical school students. The results showed that: (1) The relationship between stress response and depression in vocational medical school students was partially mediated by presence of meaning and search for meaning. Stress response has indirect effect on depression of vocational medical school students through meaning in life. (2) Prosocial behavior moderated the relationship between meaning in life and depression. Specifically, meaning in life has a more significant effect on depression for college students with higher levels of prosocial behavior. •Stress response has indirect effect on depression of vocational medical school students through meaning in life.•Prosocial behavior moderated the relationship between meaning in life and depression.•Meaning in life has a more significant effect on depression for college students with higher levels of prosocial behavior.