Jiali He,1 Hanshu Liu1,2 

1City University of Macau, Macau, People’s Republic of China; 2Xi’an Eurasia University, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Jiali He, City University of Macau, Macau, 999078, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8615626969996, Email H23091100063@cityu.edu.mo

Background: Based on cognitive-behavioral therapy and the positive emotion expansion and construction theory, this study investigated how interest-curiosity influences adolescent peer relationships through depressive symptoms.
Methods: A cross-lagged, semi-longitudinal study was conducted with Chinese adolescents (N = 224; Mage = 13.23, SD = 0.95). Data were collected in December 2023 (T1) and March 2024 (T2). Semi-longitudinal analyses were employed to examine the relationships among interest-curiosity, depressive symptoms, and peer relationships.
Results: The findings revealed that (1) adolescents with higher levels of interest-curiosity tended to experience lower levels of depressive symptoms over time; (2) adolescents who reported higher levels of depressive symptoms were more likely to experience difficulties in peer relationships; and (3) the positive influence of interest-curiosity on peer relationships was explained by its role in reducing depressive symptoms.
Conclusion: This study highlights the crucial role of interest-curiosity in adolescent development. The findings suggest that fostering adolescents’ interest-curiosity may help reduce depressive symptoms and consequently enhance peer relationships.

Keywords: interest-curiosity, depression, peer relationships, adolescent, longitudinal study