Identity Fusion and Aggressive Behavior Among Chinese Freshmen: The Chain Mediating Role of Depressive Mood and Sleep Quality.

This study examines the relationship between class identity fusion—a visceral sense of oneness with one's class—and aggressive behavior among Chinese college freshmen, exploring the mediating roles of depressive mood and sleep quality. Using a cross-sectional survey of 1,037 freshmen, results indicate that higher identity fusion is directly associated with lower aggression and indirectly reduces aggression by alleviating depressive mood and improving sleep quality; notably, the mediating effect of depressive mood was significant only in female students. The findings suggest that fostering class identity fusion and addressing depressive symptoms and sleep problems may help reduce aggressive behaviors in freshmen. These results contribute to understanding aggression prevention within an Eastern collectivist cultural context and highlight gender differences in psychological pathways influencing aggression.