<p>The investigation of the mechanical behavior of anchored rock under varying support parameters is essential for addressing the challenge of controlling large deformations in deep soft rock roadways/tunnels. This study focuses on a novel anchor cable exhibiting a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) effect and conducts experimental research on the mechanical and energy-absorption properties, deformation and failure characteristics, and acoustic emission features of NPR and positive Poisson's ratio (PR) anchored rock across varying support densities. The results show that regardless of how much support density varies, the strength, elastic modulus, and energy-absorption abilities of NPR-anchored rock are always better than those of PR-anchored rock. The primary reason is the NPR anchor cables' remarkable abilities for high pre-tension and substantial deformation, which greatly improve the mechanical and energy-absorption characteristics of the anchored rock. The peak strength and elastic modulus of NPR- and PR-anchored rock demonstrate a distinct quadratic relationship with support density. The coefficients of the quadratic and linear terms correspond to the damage and strengthening coefficients of the anchored rock, respectively. Both anchored rocks demonstrate mixed tensile-shear failure modes across varying support densities. NPR-anchored rock exhibits superior integrity relative to PR-anchored rock. At a support density of 3, they demonstrate the lowest levels of counting and cumulative energy. Based on the strength, elastic modulus, and energy absorption properties of the anchored rock, the optimal support density for NPR and PR anchor cables is identified as 3, which maximizes the overall load-bearing capacity of the anchored rock.</p>