Executive function moderates the relation between coping and depressive symptoms

Abstract

Background and objectives: Identifying risk factors early in the course of depression has important implications for prevention, given that the likelihood of recurrence increases with each successive episode.

Design: This study examined relations among coping, executive functioning, and depressive symptom trajectories in a sample of remitted-depressed (n = 32) and never-depressed (ND; n = 36) young adults (aged 18-31).

Methods: Participants completed a clinical interview, a measure of coping, and tasks assessing two components of executive function - inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Participants were reassessed regarding the timing and severity of depressive symptoms that had occurred during the interval period (mean = 35.16 weeks, SD = 9.03).

Results: Among ND individuals, less primary control coping (e.g., problem-solving) and greater disengagement coping (e.g., avoidance) predicted increases in depressive symptoms. Greater secondary control coping (e.g., acceptance) predicted decreases in depressive symptoms and was unrelated to depression history. Higher inhibition scores predicted less increase in depressive symptoms for individuals reporting less primary control coping or more disengagement coping. Higher cognitive flexibility scores predicted less increase in depressive symptoms among individuals reporting less secondary control coping.

Conclusions: Interventions aiming to enhance either coping strategies or executive functions may reduce risk of depression recurrence.

Keywords: coping; depression; executive function; stress.

Figures

Figure 1

Interaction of primary control engagement coping and inhibition predicting changes in depressive symptoms from baseline (week 1) to follow-up (week 35) in remitted- and never-depressed individuals. Estimated means for simple slopes are plotted for +/− 1 standard deviation. *p < .0001.

Figure 2

Interaction of secondary control engagement coping and cognitive flexibility predicting changes in depressive symptoms from baseline (week 1) to follow-up (week 35) in remitted- and never-depressed individuals. Estimated means for simple slopes are plotted for +/− 1 standard deviation. *p = .0001.

Figure 3

Interaction of disengagement coping and inhibition predicting changes in depressive symptoms from baseline (week 1) to follow-up (week 35) in remitted- and never-depressed individuals. Estimated means for simple slopes are plotted for +/− 1 standard deviation. *p < .001.

Figure 4

Interaction of disengagement coping and cognitive flexibility predicting changes in depressive symptoms from baseline (week 1) to follow-up (week 35) in remitted- and never-depressed individuals. Estimated means for simple slopes are plotted for +/− 1 standard deviation. *p = .0009. Note: this interaction predicted change in depressive symptoms at the level of a non-significant trend (p = .052).