Cognitive Vulnerability in Depression: Mediating Effect of Memory Bias in the Relationship between Interpretation Bias and Depression

초록

This study investigates cognitive vulnerabilities in depression by comparing clinically depressed patients with healthy controls. Specifically, it examines sub-components of cognitive function-interpretation bias and memory bias-and explores the mediating role of memory bias in the relationship between interpretation bias and depressive symptoms. Forty-six participants (MDD group: 22; Non-psychiatric healthy group: 24) were recruited and matched for age, education, and sex. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II and computerized tasks assessing cognitive control (Self-Ordered Pointing Task), interpretation bias (Similarity Rating Task), and memory bias (Free Recall Task). Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression and bootstrapping to test the mediating effect of memory bias. The clinical group exhibited higher levels of depressive symptoms, lower positive interpretation bias, and greater memory bias (intrusions and errors) compared to the non-psychiatric healthy group. Positive interpretation bias negatively correlated with memory bias and depression. Regression analysis revealed that memory bias partially mediated the relationship between positive interpretation bias and depression. Bootstrapping confirmed the statistical significance of this mediation effect. This study highlights the interactive role of cognitive biases in depression, providing evidence for the combined cognitive bias hypothesis. The findings emphasize the importance of targeting both interpretation and memory biases in therapeutic interventions in depression. Future research should explore the dynamic interactions of cognitive biases over time to better understand their role in depression and develop targeted treatments.

키워드