Prediction of Depression by Cognitive Function Above Core Affect

Abstract

The association between depression and cognitive function has been observed in a large number of studies, but there are no clear and robust mechanisms for this association. The aim of this study was to investigate how cognitive functions (working memory inhibition, executive functions cognitive control and psychomotor speed) in one model predict depression above current core affect in a sample of healthy individuals. The study involved 275 adults aged between 20 and 59 years (male 32.7%) and used the depression scale from DASS-42 questionnaire, the Swedish Core affect scale, and the cognitive function task battery. The results of hierarchical regression analysis suggest that the depression is more significantly explained after controlling core affect by the working memory storage, inhibition, and executive function cognitive control processes, when performing several tasks with different valence words. This suggests that even in healthy individuals, there may be a significant association between depressive symptoms and cognitive function after controlling current core affect state which may fluctuate and not be reflected in the retrospective assessment.