Executive functioning moderates the relationship between motivation and adolescent depressive symptoms

High avoidance and low approach motivation affect cognitive reappraisal generation in the face of anger

This study investigates the link between the revised reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) and individuals’ capacity to spontaneously invent alternate appraisals for aversive events. Eighty-two women completed the Reappraisal Inventiveness Test for anger-eliciting situations, and quantity and quality of reappraisal ideas were correlated with BIS, BAS, and FFFS sensitivity (RST-Personality Questionnaire). Results revealed that high BIS and high FFFS reduced the total number of reappraisal ideas, indicating that combined heightened sensitivity of the two avoidance systems may deplete individuals’ repertoire of potential reappraisals. RST effects on the quality of generated reappraisals were also found. High BIS and low BAS lowered individuals’ propensity to produce positive re-interpretations, which are considered a more adaptive reappraisal tactic. High FFFS sensitivity was linked to a lower preference for problem-oriented reappraisals. This study underlines that certain interactions of motivational subsystems may be particularly detrimental for successful reappraisal of anger-eliciting events. Our findings reveal potential links between revised RST effects and adaptive emotion regulation.

Interactions of approach motivation and self-regulation in relation to obesity in children

BACKGROUND

Motivation and self-regulation are two psychological systems that have been shown to be related to childhood obesity.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated independent and interactive associations of approach-oriented motivation (i.e., drive and reward responsiveness) and self-regulation (i.e., self-control and behavioral regulation) in relation to age- and sex-adjusted body mass index-z scores (BMI-z) in children.

METHODS

Children (55% female; M_age = 12.5 years ± .93) completed questionnaires assessing motivation and self-regulation, and anthropometric measurements were taken by research staff cross-sectionally.

RESULTS

Regressions revealed no independent associations of approach motivation or self-regulation and BMI-z. There were interactions between the drive facet of approach motivation, which assesses motivation to follow goals, and self-regulation in relation to BMI-z. Children with lower motivation to follow goals and lower self-regulation had higher BMI-z, and children with lower motivation to follow goals and higher self-regulation had lower BMI-z. Children with higher motivation to follow goals had similar BMI-z at all levels of self-regulation.

CONCLUSION

For children with low motivation to follow goals, self-regulation may be an important buffer of high BMI-z.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V: cross-sectional descriptive study.

Differential and spatial expression meta-analysis of genes identified in genome-wide association studies of depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder worldwide and affects individuals of all ages. It causes significant psychosocial impairments and is a major cause of disability. A recent consortium study identified 102 genetic variants and 269 genes associated with depression. To provide targets for future depression research, we prioritized these recently identified genes using expression data. We examined the differential expression of these genes in three studies that profiled gene expression of MDD cases and controls across multiple brain regions. In addition, we integrated anatomical expression information to determine which brain regions and transcriptomic cell types highly express the candidate genes. We highlight 12 of the 269 genes with the most consistent differential expression: MANEA, UBE2M, CKB, ITPR3, SPRY2, SAMD5, TMEM106B, ZC3H7B, LST1, ASXL3, ZNF184 and HSPA1A. The majority of these top genes were found to have sex-specific differential expression. We place greater emphasis on ZNF184 as it is the top gene in a more conservative analysis of the 269. Specifically, the differential expression of ZNF184 was strongest in subcortical regions in males and females. Anatomically, our results suggest the importance of the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, cholinergic, monoaminergic and enteric neurons. These findings provide a guide for targeted experiments to advance our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of depression.

Gender Differences in Risk Factors Influencing Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors among Adolescents

This study was conducted to identify risk factors that influence the probability and severity of unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) and to consider gender difference. Data were obtained from a national survey. The study population was composed of 66,068 adolescents in grades 7-12 at 400 middle schools. The effect of the independent variables on UWCBs was analyzed using zero inflated negative binominal regression. Higher body mass index group, overweight perception, appearance stress, and depressive mood were found to be risk factors of UWCBs' probability in both genders. For boys, older age, underweight, accurate or under-perception of weight, and depressive mood influenced severity of UWCBs. For girls, older age, appearance stress, and depressive mood influenced severity of UWCBs. The new findings mean to consider the range of UWCBs experienced, which can offer more sensitive and predictable information. Further interventions should be developed to consider gender specific risk factors.

Inflexibility as a Vulnerability to Depression: A Systematic Qualitative Review

The study of vulnerabilities to depression typically identifies factors that are thought to be universally maladaptive or adaptive. In contrast, researchers recently have theorized that the ability to flexibly engage in different thoughts and behaviors that fit situational demands may be most indicative of psychological health. We review empirical evidence from 147 studies reporting associations between five components of flexibility (set-shifting, affective set-shifting, cardiac vagal control, explanatory flexibility, and coping flexibility) and depression and classify studies according to strength of study design. Evidence from correlational and case-controlled studies suggests cross-sectional relationships, but few prospective studies have been conducted. We discuss limitations of existing studies, identify new directions for programmatic research, and discuss implications that flexibility has for the prevention and treatment of depression.

Executive Functions in Students With Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Symptoms

Introduction:

This study aimed to investigate and compare the executive functions of students with depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms with those functions in healthy ones.

Methods:

This study was a comparative and non-clinical analysis. The study population comprised all students of Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. A total of 448 students were recruited using convenience sampling method. They were also screened using the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) test comprising 21 items. Of study participants, 30 people were depressed, 27 had anxiety, and 15 suffered from stress. Then, 50 control people were matched with them. Next, both groups were compared using the Stroop test, Wisconsin card sorting, and cognitive ability test.

Results:

Using MANOVA test, data analysis revealed no significant differences among 4 groups with regard to selective attention and shifting attention. Depressed group reacted rapidly as opposed to the anxiety group with regard to measures of shifting attention and cognitive abilities; it was observed that the memory, inhibition control, planning, and flexibility of the healthy group were better than those of the 3 other groups.

Conclusion:

The findings of this research raised specific issues in relation to the role of depression, anxiety, and stress in the disruption of the executive functions of sufferers. Selective and shifting attention and cognitive abilities are specifically affected in this regard. Meanwhile, the role of stress in impairing decision making and the major role of anxiety in impairing sustained attention was shown to be considerable.

Real-World Executive Functions in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Profiles of Impairment and Associations with Adaptive Functioning and Co-morbid Anxiety and Depression

Although executive functioning (EF) difficulties are well documented among children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), little is known about real-world measures of EF among adults with ASD. Therefore, this study examined parent-reported real-world EF problems among 35 adults with ASD without intellectual disability and their correlations with adaptive functioning and co-morbid anxiety and depression symptomatology. A variable EF profile was found with prominent deficits occurring in flexibility and metacognition. Flexibility problems were associated with anxiety-related symptoms while metacognition difficulties were associated with depression symptoms and impaired adaptive functioning (though the metacognition-adaptive functioning relationship was moderated by ADHD symptoms). These persistent EF problems are predictors of broader functioning and therefore remain an important treatment target among adults with ASD.

Impaired Maturation of Cognitive Control in Adolescents Who Develop Major Depressive Disorder

This study examined whether development of two forms of cognitive control (proactive and reactive) between early and midadolescence was associated with the onset of major depressive disorder (MDD) during the same period and if it prospectively predicted MDD onset between mid- and late adolescence. Adolescents (N = 165) completed 3 waves of assessments, at 12 (T1), 16 (T2), and 18 (T3) years of age. Diagnostic interviews were conducted at each time point to identify three groups of adolescents: "early MDD," those who developed MDD between early (T1) and mid- (T2) adolescence (n = 23); "late MDD," those who developed MDD between mid- (T2) and late (T3) adolescence (n = 20); and "controls," those who did not develop MDD (n = 122). A modified Stroop task was completed at T1 and T2 to examine development of proactive and reactive cognitive control. Adolescents with early MDD exhibited significant declines in reactive control, as well as a trend level decline for proactive control, during this period compared to controls. No significant differences in reactive or proactive control were identified in adolescents with late MDD compared to controls, but they did exhibit significant improvements in proactive control compared to those with early MDD. These findings suggest that normative maturation of reactive, and possibly proactive, cognitive control abilities are impaired in adolescents who develop MDD between early and midadolescence. This has implications for understanding the mechanisms underlying certain forms of behavioral dysregulation that are commonly seen in MDD.