The university years are a delicate phase of transition in which young adults face emotional, social, and academic challenges. A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Turin, the European University of Rome, and the University of Padua demonstrates how perceived social support, particularly that of friends and partners, can reduce the risk of depression in college students who have had adverse childhood experiences. The study, published in the International Journal of Affective Disorders, included 674 university students and examined the relationship between unpleasant childhood events, difficulty with emotional regulation, and depression symptoms. Adverse childhood experiences, such as neglect, abuse, or severe family conflict, have long been linked to depression because they impair the development of the skills required to recognize and manage emotions throughout life. The study adds an important piece to the puzzle by finding that friends and partners operate as a protective factor: increased perceived support reduces the influence of emotional dysregulation on depression symptoms. During university, social networks undergo significant transformations: autonomy grows, people frequently remove themselves from family, and they spend more in peer interactions. Friends and partners' support becomes one of the most crucial components in dealing with stress, academic difficulties, and personal obstacles. Unlike popular perception, family support did not have the same protective effect. According to the authors, this could be due to the fact that the traumatic experiences reported by students frequently occur within family contexts, reducing the family unit's ability to provide perceived effective support: "The findings indicate that support from friends and partners may represent a key resource for students with traumatic and dysfunctional histories", the researchers say. "Fostering robust social networks and positive relational environments is critical for supporting mental well-being within collegiate communities", they concluded.