Mediating effects of resilience on regulatory emotional self-efficacy and adverse mental health outcomes among college students in China.

College students are in a stage of rapid physical and mental development and gradual improvement. The pressure and adversity they experience often lead to mental health problems. This study aimed to explore the relationship between regulatory emotional self-efficacy and adverse mental health outcomes and the mediating role of resilience among Chinese college students. We conducted an online survey involving 1177 college students (M = 21.43, SD = 1.65; 29.1% males) in China. Students were required to complete self-reported questionnaires regarding regulatory emotional self-efficacy, resilience, and adverse mental health outcomes. A structural equation model was used to test the mediating role of resilience in the association between self-efficacy in expressing positive emotions, managing negative emotions and adverse mental health outcomes. The results reveal that self-efficacy in expressing positive emotions was indirectly related to adverse mental health outcomes via resilience, and self-efficacy in managing negative emotions was not only directly related to adverse mental health outcomes but also indirectly related to adverse mental health outcomes through resilience. This study contributed to a better understanding of protective pathways for mental health among Chinese college students. Mental health practitioners and educators should focus on promoting regulatory emotional self-efficacy and resilience to improve Chinese college students' mental health.