The sang subculture, marked by ironic detachment, resignation, and performative hopelessness, has become prominent among Chinese young adults, yet its psychological implications remain unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated whether meaning in life mediates the link between preference for sang subculture and depressive symptoms in 500 Chinese young adults. Participants completed measures of sang preference, meaning in life, and depression. Preference for sang subculture was positively associated with depressive symptoms and negatively with meaning in life. Mediation analysis showed that meaning in life fully mediated this relationship: stronger sang preference predicted lower meaning in life, which in turn predicted higher depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that engagement with sang narratives may undermine meaning-making processes, increasing vulnerability to depression, particularly for those who internalize its values rather than use it situationally as a coping strategy. Although causality cannot be established, the results highlight meaning in life as a potential pathway linking subcultural attitudes to mental health. Interventions fostering meaning-making may help mitigate the risks of associated with prolonged identification with sang narratives.
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