<p>Regulatory emotional self-efficacy often affects depression, but its specific mechanism of action has not been fully studied. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between regulatory emotional self-efficacy and depression, and the mediating roles of self-acceptance and rumination among college students. A total of 485 Chinese college students completed the Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale (RESE), the short version of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-13), the short version of the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), and the Self-Acceptance Questionnaire (SAQ). The results showed: (1) Regulatory emotional self-efficacy, self-acceptance, and rumination were significantly correlated with depression. (2) The direct effect of regulatory emotional self-efficacy on depression was significant. The chain mediating effects includes three paths: The mediating role of self-acceptance, the mediating role of rumination, and the chain mediating role of self-acceptance and rumination. Results suggest that regulatory emotional self-efficacy may not only affect depression, but also affect depression through self-acceptance and rumination.</p>