After accounting for these mediator variables, the direct effect of 10.13039/100030732MSD IL-6 × social strain on W2 MDD severity (b = 0.010, p = .281) was no longer significant, and the effect of 10.13039/100030732MSD IL-6 × social support remained nonsignificant (b = −0.005, p = .669). Here, IL6 is linked to major depressive disorder.