Examination of the relationship between depression, future expectations, and several executive function variables

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to study the possible relationships between depressive symptoms, future expectations (i.e. prospections), and prefrontal functions. More specifically, the potential mediating effects of future expectations in the relationship between depressive symptoms and prefrontal functions were investigated. Method: Data collection tools included Beck Depression Inventory, Prefrontal Functions Scale based on Interpersonal Neurobiology, and Subjective Probability Task - Turkish Version. Study sample included 401 undergraduate students, where 235 (58.6%) of those were female and 166 (41.4%) were male. Participants had an age range of 18-31, and the mean age was found to be 21.44 (sd = 2.33). Results: Statistical analyses revealed that as depression symptoms strengthen, there appears to be a corresponding decrease in the ratings for positive prospection, and a counter increase in the ratings for negative prospection (i.e. how likely they think such events will happen to them in the future). Furthermore, prefrontal functioning suffered a significant decline as depression scores increased. The mediated regression model further indicated that positive as well as negative prospections did indeed have partial mediating effects in regulating the relationship between depression scores and prefontal functioning. Discussion: Results of the study are considered to be of possible value for the aim of structuring specific psychotherapy interventions. Identification of strictly held attitudes of clients, for instance, alongside with the inability to identify alternative solutions to problems encountered, strict reliance on specific explanations as causes behind them, or weakening cognitive flexibility, can be prioritized earlier in therapy and the following progress can, hence, be planned accordingly. Investigation of prospective thoughts can also be informative in this respect.