Guided by Beck's cognitive model of depression, this study examined the mediating role of negative self-cognition in the association between harsh parenting and adolescent depression and whether peer acceptance moderated this indirect relationship. Eight hundred and fifty-nine seventh to ninth graders (379 girls and 480 boys, mean age = 13.58 years) completed questionnaires on negative self-cognition and depression. Their parents reported on harsh parenting and their peers assessed peer acceptance for each student. Results indicated that beyond the direct effect of harsh parenting on adolescent depression, harsh parenting was also indirectly and positively associated with adolescent depression via negative self-cognition. Furthermore, peer acceptance could compromise the indirect effect of harsh parenting on adolescent depression through buffering the effect of negative self-cognition on adolescent depression. This study promoted our understanding concerning the potential mechanisms underlying the association between harsh parenting and adolescent depression.