Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of negative parenting styles on depression among college students based on the ecosystem theory, and to investigate the mediating roles of selfcontrol and rumination in this relationship. Method: A total of 385 college students in Shanwei City, Guangdong Province, were surveyed using the short-Egna Minnen av Barndoms Uppfostran, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Self-Control Scale, and Ruminative Responses Scale-Chinese Version. Results: Descriptive analysis revealed that depression levels among college students were relatively low (M=4.82, SD=4.63). Pearson correlation analysis indicated significant positive correlations among negative parenting styles, depression, self-control, and rumination (r=0.370, -0.275, 0.365, -0.502, 0.759, -0.527; p<0.001). Regression analysis showed that negative parenting styles significantly positively predicted depression among college students(β =0.088, t=2.549, p<0.05). Further mediation analysis demonstrated that self-control and rumination played a partial chain-mediating role in the influence of negative parenting styles on depression among college students, with a mediation effect size of 0.242, accounting for 76.10% of the total effect. Conclusion: Negative parenting styles not only directly affect depression among college students but also influence their rumination through affecting self-control, ultimately exacerbating depressive symptoms. The findings of this study provide new theoretical perspectives and strategic directions for improving and optimizing the mental health status of college students, and offer substantial guidance and implementation support for promoting mental health education in colleges and universities.