The present study aimed to investigate the mediational effects of dysexecutive function and reappraisal on the relation of the need for cognition and depressive symptoms. Participants were 508 (Mage = 21.86, SDage = 2.44) Chinese college students who responded to the Need for Cognition Scale, the Dysexecutive Questionnaire, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Reappraisal subscale), and the Self-Rating Depression Scale. The results showed a partial direct association between the need for cognition and depressive symptoms. Specifically, our mediation model revealed that the need for cognition is a direct significant predictor of depressive symptoms, dysexecutive function, and reappraisal. Dysexecutive function predicts depressive symptoms. Furthermore, reappraisal predicts depressive symptoms. In general, the implications of a deeper understanding of the relationship between the need for cognition and depressive symptoms and the prevention of symptoms based on potential mediators are discussed.