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Chang Y, Yu C, Huang C, Wang T, Dziobek I, Lane H. Discrepancy of social cognition between bipolar disorders and major depressive disorders. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e3365. [PMID: 38376012 PMCID: PMC10757902 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The research landscape examining social cognition (SC) impairment in patients with major depressive disorders (MDD) and bipolar disorders (BD) is notably scarce. Presently, assessments predominantly rely on static stimuli and self-reported measures, which may not capture the dynamic dimensions of social cognition. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to validate the Chinese version of Movie Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC-CH) and to investigate whether MDD and BD exhibit distinct patterns of SC impairments, shedding light on potential differences between these two mood disorders. METHODS The study encompassed 197 participants, aged 18-65, distributed as follows: 21 BD, 20 MDD, and 156 healthy controls (HC). We focused on examining "cognitive" and "emotional" SC scores and "undermentalizing" and "overmentalizing" error patterns, with nonsocial inference as a control. Additional assessments included the Reading Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) and the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). We also explored the association between depression severity (measured by the Hamilton Depressive Rating Scale, HDRS) and distinct SC dimensions between MDD and BD. RESULTS The MASC-CH exhibited strong validity and reliability for SC assessment. In group comparisons, BD participants scored significantly lower on MASC-CH, while the MDD group scores were not significantly different from HC. Specifically, BD individuals had notably lower cognitive SC scores and made more undermentalizing and absence of mentalizing errors than MDD and HC. Additionally, a negative correlation between HDRS score and overmentalizing was observed in BD, not in the MDD. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that depression severity scores in BD were inversely related to MASC-CH scores. In contrast, this relationship was not observed in the MDD group. These results underscore the importance of SC impairments as distinguishing characteristics of both BD and MDD. It provides valuable insights into the distinct social-cognitive profiles of both mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun‐Hsuan Chang
- Institute of Gerontology, College of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- Department of PsychologyNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- Institute of Genomics and BioinformaticsCollege of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing UniversityTaichungTaiwan
| | - Chu‐Ling Yu
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health SciencesAsia UniversityTaichungTaiwan
- Department of PsychiatryChina Medical University Hsinchu HospitalHsinchuTaiwan
| | - Chih‐Chun Huang
- Department of PsychiatryNational Cheng Kung University Hospital, Dou‐Liou BranchYunlinTaiwan
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Tzu‐Yun Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Isabel Dziobek
- Berlin School of Mind and BrainHumboldt‐Universität zu BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Hsien‐Yuan Lane
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health SciencesAsia UniversityTaichungTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical SciencesChina Medical UniversityTaichungTaiwan
- Department of Psychiatry and Brain Disease Research CenterChina Medical University HospitalTaichungTaiwan
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Papastylianou AD, Travasaros T. Patients' Perspective on the Important Therapeutic Factors in Integrated Systemic Group Therapy: A Phenomenological Approach. Int J Group Psychother 2024; 74:33-77. [PMID: 38451504 DOI: 10.1080/00207284.2024.2303087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
This qualitative research refers to the patients' perspective on the therapeutic factors operating in long-term group therapy of an integrated systemic orientation (ISO). Semi-structured interviews of members of two long-term ISO psychotherapy groups were conducted in three phases: the first, second, and third year of their group psychotherapy. The research sample consisted of 13 participants. The data was analyzed through an interpretative phenomenological analysis. The results confirmed the classification of Yalom's therapeutic factors. However, an additional therapeutic factor emerged, the "development of pluralistic perspectives" that appears more clearly from the second year of therapy onward. Moreover, from the second year onward, the categories "existential factors" and "interpersonal learning" get strengthened. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
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Nestor BA, Liu Q, Sutherland S, Cole DA. The relation of depressive symptoms to theory of mind in adults. J Affect Disord 2023; 339:194-202. [PMID: 37437738 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theory of mind (ToM) is the ability to understand thoughts and feelings of others. Significant heterogeneity exists for the strength of the association between depression and ToM performance. METHODS To clarify these relations, two studies of depressed and nondepressed adults investigate cross-sectional associations of four latent depression factors (i.e., somatic symptoms, depressed affect, positive affect, and interpersonal problems) to two aspects of ToM (reasoning vs. decoding). Study 1 investigated associations between depression factors and reasoning ToM (N = 258), and Study 2 investigated associations between depression factors and decoding ToM (N = 219). RESULTS In Study 1, the interpersonal problems factor was negatively related to reasoning ToM, though in Study 2, no consistent associations emerged between depression and decoding ToM. Study 2 also replicated a novel approach to assessing valence with the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test. LIMITATIONS This investigation was primarily limited by cross-sectional designs, self-report, and online delivery of measures. CONCLUSIONS Findings emphasize the heterogeneity of ToM as a construct and identify targets for clinical intervention, with specific focus on bolstering reasoning ToM skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget A Nestor
- Department of Anesthesia, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, United States of America; Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, United States of America.
| | - Qimin Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, United States of America; Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, United States of America; Boston University, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, United States of America
| | - Susanna Sutherland
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, United States of America
| | - David A Cole
- Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, United States of America
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Petrovic SA, Kaurin N, Knezevic J, Maric NP. Theory of Mind in Typical Adults: Sex-Differences and Its Associations with Anxiety and Depression Symptoms. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2023; 38:913-921. [PMID: 36715310 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acad007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite an increased interest in research of theory of mind (ToM) in recent years - both related to psychopathology (depression and anxiety spectrum disorders) and within the typical adults, the existing literature is scarce and presents some conflicting results. Present study aimed to explore sex differences in ToM, alongside its associations with current anxiety and depression symptoms, in a large sample of typical adults collected online. METHOD Participants completed the 15-minutes survey obtaining socio-demographic data, current self-reported depression and anxiety symptom severity, and ToM ability (the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task). The sample comprised 605 participants -mostly younger adults, women, and high school graduate/student population. RESULTS The majority of participants reported minimal/mild depressive and anxiety symptoms that were significantly more severe in women. Women also displayed significantly better overall ToM ability than men. Significant negative correlation between the severity of current depressive and anxiety symptoms and ToM ability was also observed, but only in individuals expressing the symptoms requiring clinical attention (such association was absent in those exhibiting minimal/mild symptoms). CONCLUSIONS Present research adds to the existing knowledge on the association between ToM ability, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in typical adults as well as on the sex-differences in this important social cognitive domain. Exploring the factors representing indicators of vulnerability for depression-anxiety spectrum disorders is important for their timely detection and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Andric Petrovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nina Kaurin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Knezevic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nadja P Maric
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute of Mental Health, Belgrade, Serbia
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Waade PT, Enevoldsen KC, Vermillet AQ, Simonsen A, Fusaroli R. Introducing tomsup: Theory of mind simulations using Python. Behav Res Methods 2023; 55:2197-2231. [PMID: 35953661 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-022-01827-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Theory of mind (ToM) is considered crucial for understanding social-cognitive abilities and impairments. However, verbal theories of the mechanisms underlying ToM are often criticized as under-specified and mutually incompatible. This leads to measures of ToM being unreliable, to the extent that even canonical experimental tasks do not require representation of others' mental states. There have been attempts at making computational models of ToM, but these are not easily available for broad research application. In order to help meet these challenges, we here introduce the Python package tomsup: Theory of mind simulations using Python. The package provides a computational eco-system for investigating and comparing computational models of hypothesized ToM mechanisms and for using them as experimental stimuli. The package notably includes an easy-to-use implementation of the variational recursive Bayesian k-ToM model developed by (Devaine, Hollard, & Daunizeau, 2014b) and of simpler non-recursive decision models, for comparison. We provide a series of tutorials on how to: (i) simulate agents relying on the k-ToM model and on a range of simpler types of mechanisms; (ii) employ those agents to generate online experimental stimuli; (iii) analyze the data generated in such experimental setup, and (iv) specify new custom ToM and heuristic cognitive models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter T Waade
- School of Communication and Culture, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- The Interacting Minds Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Kenneth C Enevoldsen
- School of Communication and Culture, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- The Interacting Minds Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Center for Humanities Computing Aarhus, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | | | - Arndis Simonsen
- The Interacting Minds Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Psychosis Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital Psychiatry, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Riccardo Fusaroli
- School of Communication and Culture, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- The Interacting Minds Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Linguistics, Cognitive Science and Semiotics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Temporal self and reflected appraisals in euthymic and depressed individuals. J Affect Disord 2023; 327:340-347. [PMID: 36773762 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Temporal self-appraisal (TSA) theory, reflected appraisal theory, and their clinical applications have previously been explored as independent constructs. This study investigates how TSA corresponds to temporal reflected appraisal (TRA), and how the relationship between them differs in the presence of depression. METHODS 273 adults (57 % female), recruited using Amazon Mechanical Turk, filled out a series of measures of mood and self-appraisal assessments (TSA and TRA versions of the Me/Not Me task). Repeated measures MANOVAs were used to assess between group differences. RESULTS The TSA trajectory of depressed individuals replicated the 'V' shape found in previous research, whereas the TRA of depressed individuals did not decline from past to present. There was little difference between TSA and TRA "past" and "future" appraisals, though there was a significant difference in appraisal of the "present." Individuals with depression believe that others perceive them as doing much better currently than the way they view themselves. By contrast, euthymic individuals had no significant differences between the TSA and TRA appraisals of their present selves, indicating they think their self-perception matches how others view them. LIMITATIONS We assessed depression using online self-reports. Cross-sectional data limits causality determination but suffices for studying mood-related self-perceptions over time. CONCLUSIONS Temporal self-appraisal and temporal reflected appraisal have varying relationships among euthymic and depressed individuals. This more precise characterization of depressed individuals' identity can further aid clinicians in understanding the nature of identity development and treating identity disruption among depressed individuals.
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Alvi T, Rosenfield D, Sunahara CS, Wallmark Z, Lee J, Tabak BA. Examining Unique Associations of Social Anxiety and Depression on Behaviorally Assessed Affective Empathy. Clin Psychol Sci 2022:216770262211047. [DOI: 10.1177/21677026221104735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of research suggests that cognitive empathy (i.e., understanding other people’s mental states) may be impaired in socially anxious and depressed individuals. However, few studies have examined whether affective empathy (i.e., sharing other people’s emotional states, referred to as “affect sharing”) may likewise be impaired in either form of psychopathology. In Study 1 ( n = 202), we examined the unique association between social anxiety (or depression) and affect sharing and the moderating role of anhedonia and stimuli valence above and beyond depression (or social anxiety). No main or interaction effects were found for social anxiety or depression in the prediction of affect sharing. In Study 2, we conducted a direct replication of Study 1 with a larger sample ( n = 324), which confirmed our findings from Study 1. Thus, the unique effects of social anxiety and depression may be more related to difficulties in cognitive, rather than affective, empathic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talha Alvi
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University
| | | | | | - Zachary Wallmark
- Department of Musicology and Ethnomusicology, University of Oregon
| | - Junghee Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham
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Depression is not related to deficits in emotional reasoning skills. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2022.111728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Nestor BA, Sutherland S, Garber J. Theory of mind performance in depression: A meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2022; 303:233-244. [PMID: 35176344 PMCID: PMC8961451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.02.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Theory of mind (ToM) is a social-cognitive skill that involves the ability to understand the thoughts and feelings of others. Evidence is mixed regarding the extent of ToM ability in individuals with depression. METHODS We conducted a meta-analysis of 43 studies to investigate the strength of the association between ToM and depression. RESULTS Results indicated significant, small- to moderate impairment in ToM with a medium overall effect size (g = -0.398) in individuals with depression. Moderator analyses compared effect sizes across groups for the following variables: ToM content, process, and sample type. Additionally, meta-regression analyses tested age and gender as continuous moderators. LIMITATIONS The cross-sectional nature of included studies limits this meta-analysis from clarifying temporal or bidirectional relations. CONCLUSIONS We discuss findings in the context of the extant developmental, cognitive, social, and clinical literatures. We also suggest several possible explanations for these findings and offer implications for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridget A. Nestor
- Vanderbilt University, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Peabody #552, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203, United States of America
| | - Susanna Sutherland
- Vanderbilt University, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Peabody #552, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203, United States of America
| | - Judy Garber
- Vanderbilt University, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Peabody #552, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN 37203, United States of America
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Pagnoni I, Gobbi E, Alaimo C, Campana E, Rossi R, Manenti R, Balconi M, Cotelli M. The relationship between theory of mind and executive functions in major depressive disorders: A review. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:980392. [PMID: 36051550 PMCID: PMC9424552 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.980392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) experience difficulties in multiple cognitive and affective abilities. A large body of literature has argued that MDD patients show impaired executive functions (EFs) and deficits in theory of mind (ToM), the ability to infer the mental states of others. However, the relationship between ToM and EFs has been poorly investigated. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of studies that evaluated the association between ToM and EFs in patients with MDD diagnosis. A literature review was conducted to identify all published studies in which ToM and EFs measures were administered to individuals with MDD and in which the relationship between these two domains was investigated. Eleven studies were included, and for each study, we discussed the findings related to ToM, EFs, and the nature of the link between these two aspects. Most of the studies reported that patients with MDD, compared with healthy controls, showed significant impairments in both ToM and EFs abilities. Moreover, this review indicates the presence of a significant association between these two domains in MDD patients, supporting the evidences that executive functioning is important to perform ToM tasks. Although the results that emerged are interesting, the relationship between ToM and EFs in MDD needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Pagnoni
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena Gobbi
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Cristina Alaimo
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elena Campana
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberta Rossi
- Unit of Psychiatry, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rosa Manenti
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Michela Balconi
- International Research Center for Cognitive Applied Neuroscience (IrcCAN), Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy.,Research Unit in Affective and Social Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Cotelli
- Neuropsychology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
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Comparative study of emotion recognition and theory of mind between major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. J Affect Disord 2021; 295:1445-1448. [PMID: 34563391 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social cognition as a transdiagnostic construct between major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) is not well understood. This may be attributed to the variability of social cognitive measures indexing the same construct. This study aims to compare emotion recognition and theory of mind domains, known to be impaired in SCZ, between MDD and SCZ. METHODS Three groups of participants (NTotal = 150) were enrolled in this study: MDD (n = 51), SCZ (n = 50) and healthy controls (HC; n = 49). Emotion recognition was assessed on the Bell Lysaker Emotion Recognition Task (BLERT) and Penn Emotion Recognition Task (ER40); theory of mind was measured on The Awareness of Social Inference Test (TASIT). Mixed ANCOVAs were utilised to compare social cognitive performance across the groups. RESULTS SCZ performed poorer in all 3 social cognition tasks compared to both MDD and HC. No statistically significant difference in social cognitive performance was observed between MDD and HC. CONCLUSIONS This study serves as an effort towards employing the same standardised social cognitive measures for direct comparison of performance patterns across diagnostic groups. Future work is needed to extend this in larger samples of different illness severity and diagnostic categories.
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Cetin S, Sozeri Varma G, Toker Ugurlu T, Ozdel IO. Theory of Mind in Somatization and Depression: Is It Cause or Phenomenon? J Nerv Ment Dis 2021; 209:911-917. [PMID: 34310521 DOI: 10.1097/nmd.0000000000001399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Although mentalization is important in somatic symptom disorder (SSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), it is not fully understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relation between somatic and depressive symptoms with mentalization. A total of 48 patients diagnosed with SSD, 50 patients diagnosed with MDD, and 50 healthy individuals, participated the study. The Montgomery-Asperg Depression Scale, Symptom Checklist-90 Revised, and Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) were applied to the participants. The patients with SSD showed significantly the lowest performance of theory of mind. There was no significant difference between MDD and healthy controls. High somatization score was found to be a predictor for low RMET scores (95% confidence interval, -0.339; p = 0.014). Mentalization deficit seems to be associated with somatization rather than depression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gulfizar Sozeri Varma
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Tugce Toker Ugurlu
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Ismail Osman Ozdel
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
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Borçoi AR, Mendes SO, Moreno IAA, Gasparini Dos Santos J, Freitas FV, Pinheiro JA, Oliveira MMD, Barbosa WM, Arpini JK, Archanjo AB, Hollais AW, Couto CVMDS, David CVC, Risse Quaioto B, Sorroche BP, Louro ID, Arantes LMRB, Silva AMÁD. Food and nutritional insecurity is associated with depressive symptoms mediated by NR3C1 gene promoter 1F methylation. Stress 2021; 24:814-821. [PMID: 33977868 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2021.1923692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate socioeconomic stressors predictive of depressive symptoms and possible epigenetic changes in the glucocorticoid receptor - NR3C1-1F - an encoding gene involved in depressive symptoms. A total of 321 adult volunteers from southeastern Brazil were recruited to evaluate depressive symptoms, socio-demographic and economic factors, including food and nutritional security (FNS) or insecurity (FNiS) status, and NR3C1-1F region methylation by pyrosequencing. Depressive symptom determinants were investigated using a Poisson regression model with robust variance. Mann-Whitney tests and structural mediation equation models were used to evaluate the relationship between NR3C1 DNA methylation, FNiS, and depressive symptoms. Multivariate Poisson regression with robust variance adjusted for sex and FNiS and NR3C1-1F region methylation predicted risk factors for depressive symptoms. Mediation analysis revealed that NR3C1-1F region methylation mediated the relationship between FNiS exposure and depressive symptoms as an outcome, and depressive volunteers and FNiS individuals exhibited a significant increase in NR3C1 methylation when compared to healthy individuals and FNS volunteers, respectively. Therefore, we suggest that stress caused by FNiS may lead to depressive symptoms and that NR3C1-1F DNA methylation can act as a mediator of both FNiS and depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Ribeiro Borçoi
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Suzanny Oliveira Mendes
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | | | - Flávia Vitorino Freitas
- Department of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alegre, Brazil
| | - Júlia Assis Pinheiro
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Mayara Mota de Oliveira
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Wagner Miranda Barbosa
- Department of Pharmacy and Nutrition, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Alegre, Brazil
| | - Juliana Krüger Arpini
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Anderson Barros Archanjo
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Bárbara Risse Quaioto
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | - Iuri Drumond Louro
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | | | - Adriana Madeira Álvares-da- Silva
- Biotechnology/Renorbio Postgraduate Program, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
- Department of Morphology, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
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What Do We Know about Theory of Mind Impairment in Parkinson's Disease? Behav Sci (Basel) 2021; 11:bs11100130. [PMID: 34677223 PMCID: PMC8533307 DOI: 10.3390/bs11100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Theory of mind (ToM) is a social cognitive skill that involves the ability to attribute mental states to self and others (what they think (cognitive ToM) and feel (affective ToM)). We aim to provide an overview of previous knowledge of ToM in Parkinson's disease (PD). In the last few years more attention has been paid to the study of this construct as a non-motor manifestation of PD. In advanced stages, both components of ToM (cognitive and affective) are commonly impaired, although in early PD results remain controversial. Executive dysfunction correlates with ToM deficits and other cognitive domains such as language and visuospatial function have also been related to ToM. Recent studies have demonstrated that PD patients with mild cognitive impairment show ToM deficits more frequently in comparison with cognitively normal PD patients. In addition to the heterogeneity of ToM tests administered in different studies, depression and dopaminergic medication may also be acting as confounding factors, but there are still insufficient data to support this. Neuroimaging studies conducted to understand the underlying networks of cognitive and affective ToM deficits in PD are lacking. The study of ToM deficit in PD continues to be important, as this may worsen quality of life and favor social stigma. Future studies should be considered, including assessment of the patients' cognitive state, associated mood disorders, and the role of dopaminergic deficit.
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Lord KA, Suvak MK, Liverant GI. Social anxiety, rejection sensitivity, and theory of mind decoding ability. J Clin Psychol 2021; 78:656-670. [PMID: 34487356 DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recent initiatives have highlighted the importance of investigating clinically relevant variations in social processes that contribute to mental illness. Surprisingly little research has examined the associations between socially and clinically relevant transdiagnostic factors, such as social anxity (SA) and rejection sensitvity (RS), on theory of mind (ToM) decoding ability. METHODS The Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task and self-report measures of SA and RS were completed by 199 adult participants. RESULTS Linear regression analyses suggest a specific difficulty decoding positive emotion associated with SA and global decrements in ToM associated with RS that may reflect a negative interpretation bias. CONCLUSIONS These findings may have important implications for understanding how those with SA and RS perceive and navigate social interactions, which may contribute to the maintenance of symptoms and decreased psychosocial functioning.
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Rütgen M, Pfabigan DM, Tik M, Kraus C, Pletti C, Sladky R, Klöbl M, Woletz M, Vanicek T, Windischberger C, Lanzenberger R, Lamm C. Detached empathic experience of others' pain in remitted states of depression - An fMRI study. Neuroimage Clin 2021; 31:102699. [PMID: 34049164 PMCID: PMC8167276 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder is strongly associated with impairments and difficulties in social interactions. Deficits in empathy, a vital skill for social interactions, have been identified as a risk factor for relapse. However, research on empathy in remitted states of depression is scarce. We chose a social neuroscience approach to investigate potentially altered neural processes involved in sub-components of empathy in remitted states of depression. We expected aberrations in cognitive components of empathy, based on previous reports regarding their role as risk factors for relapse. METHODS Employing functional magnetic resonance imaging and a pain empathy task (video clips of painful medical treatments), we compared behavioral and neural empathic responses of unmedicated remitted depressive patients (N = 32) to those of untreated acutely depressed patients (N = 29) and healthy controls (N = 35). Self-report ratings of pain evaluation and affect-sharing were obtained. RESULTS Compared to controls and acutely depressed patients, remitted depressive patients reported higher pain evaluation and showed increased activity in the right temporo-parietal junction. This region, which is central to self-other distinction and which has been linked to adopting a detached perspective, also exhibited reduced connectivity to the anterior insula. Furthermore, we observed reduced activity in regions involved in emotion processing (amygdala) and perception of affective facial expressions (fusiform face area, posterior superior temporal sulcus). CONCLUSIONS Remitted states of depression are associated with a detached empathic style in response to others' pain, characterized by increased self-other distinction, lowered affective processing, and reduced connectivity between empathy-related brain regions. Although this may prevent emotional harm in specific situations, it may reduce opportunities for positive experiences in social interactions in the long run.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Rütgen
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Daniela Melitta Pfabigan
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Tik
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Kraus
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Carolina Pletti
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Developmental Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology and Pedagogy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Ronald Sladky
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manfred Klöbl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Woletz
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Vanicek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Windischberger
- Center for Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claus Lamm
- Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Unit, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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A revised instrument for the assessment of empathy and Theory of Mind in adolescents: Introducing the EmpaToM-Y. Behav Res Methods 2021; 53:2487-2501. [PMID: 33948924 PMCID: PMC8613142 DOI: 10.3758/s13428-021-01589-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Empathy and Theory of Mind (ToM) are two core components of social understanding. The EmpaToM is a validated social video task that allows for independent manipulation and assessment of the two capacities. First applications revealed that empathy and ToM are dissociable constructs on a neuronal as well as on a behavioral level. As the EmpaToM has been designed for the assessment of social understanding in adults, it has a high degree of complexity and comprises topics that are inadequate for minors. For this reason, we designed a new version of the EmpaToM that is especially suited to measure empathy and ToM in youths. In experiment 1, we successfully validated the EmpaToM-Y on the original EmpaToM in an adult sample (N = 61), revealing a similar pattern of results across tasks and strong correlations of all constructs. As intended, the performance measure for ToM and the control condition of the EmpaToM-Y showed reduced difficulty. In experiment 2, we tested the feasibility of the EmpaToM-Y in a group of teenagers (N = 36). Results indicate a reliable empathy induction and higher demands of ToM questions for adolescents. We provide a promising task for future research targeting inter-individual variability of socio-cognitive and socio-affective capacities as well as their precursors and outcomes in healthy minors and clinical populations.
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18
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Matsuo J, Hori H, Ishida I, Hiraishi M, Ota M, Hidese S, Yomogida Y, Kunugi H. Performance on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) in Japanese patients with bipolar and major depressive disorders in euthymic and depressed states. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2021; 75:128-137. [PMID: 33368739 PMCID: PMC8048446 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
AIM This study aimed to examine the cognitive performance of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) stratified by illness phase compared to that of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls. METHODS Participants were 139 patients with BD (55 euthymic and 84 depressed), 311 patients with MDD (88 euthymic and 223 depressed), and 386 healthy controls who underwent the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised or the Third Edition. They were non-elderly Japanese individuals with normal estimated premorbid intelligence quotient (IQ; >90), group-matched for age, sex, and premorbid IQ. RESULTS The depressed BD group showed significantly lower scores on verbal IQ, performance IQ, full-scale IQ, and three group indexes of perceptual organization, working memory, and processing speed when compared with healthy controls (all P < 0.001). All IQs and working memory index were also significantly lower than those of the depressed MDD group. The depressed MDD group scored significantly lower than controls in performance IQ (P < 0.001), full-scale IQ, and only in the index of processing speed (P < 0.001). The euthymic BD group scored significantly lower than controls in performance IQ (P = 0.004), whereas the euthymic MDD group scored significantly lower than controls only in processing speed (P = 0.030). CONCLUSION Patients with BD appear to have global and more intense cognitive impairments in depressed states compared with those with MDD whose impairments seem to be apparent only in processing speed in the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Attenuated impairments appear to exist in euthymic states of both patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junko Matsuo
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Hori
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ikki Ishida
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Moeko Hiraishi
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miho Ota
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Hidese
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukihito Yomogida
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kunugi
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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19
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van Neerven T, Bos DJ, van Haren NE. Deficiencies in Theory of Mind in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder: A systematic review of secondary literature. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 120:249-261. [PMID: 33246019 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Deficiencies in Theory of Mind (ToM) are consistently found in individuals with schizophrenia (SZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), and bipolar disorder (BD). However, the character of these deficits and their role in the pathogenesis of mental illness remains poorly understood. This systematic review synthesizes the available secondary literature pertaining to ToM functioning in individuals with MDD, BD, or SZ, and their respective spectrum disorders in order to delineate disorder or symptom specific patterns of ToM impairment. Literature suggests that ToM deficits increase in severity along the affective-psychotic spectrum, with mild deficits in patients with MDD, and severe deficits in patients with mania or psychosis. Furthermore, ToM deficits appear to be part of a broader developmental phenotype associated with SZ and BD, as suggested by findings of attenuated impairments in ToM in remitted patients with SZ or BD, unaffected first-degree relatives of patients, and clinical high-risk groups. Future psychiatric research on ToM should aim to disentangle relationships between ToM deficits and specific symptom dimensions transdiagnostically, and employ standardized, construct-specific ToM tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas van Neerven
- University Medical Centre Utrecht - Brain Centre, Department of psychiatry, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dienke J Bos
- University Medical Centre Utrecht - Brain Centre, Department of psychiatry, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Neeltje Em van Haren
- Erasmus Medical Center, Department of child and adolescent psychiatry/psychology, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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20
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Guhn A, Merkel L, Hübner L, Dziobek I, Sterzer P, Köhler S. Understanding versus feeling the emotions of others: How persistent and recurrent depression affect empathy. J Psychiatr Res 2020; 130:120-127. [PMID: 32805521 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Empathy refers to the ability to understand the emotions of others. It encompasses a cognitive component of decoding a mental state, and an affective component that relates to an emotional response. Deficits in empathy have been associated with social dysfunction in depression. It is further assumed that impairments are aggravated when depression takes a chronic course. Existing evidence in the literature, however, is scarce and heterogeneous. The present study investigated empathy in patients with persistent and recurrent depression as well as in healthy controls (N = 102). Empathy measurements included both self-report (Interpersonal Reactivity Index, IRI) as well as a laboratory task (Multifaceted Empathy Task, MET). A mixed model analyses of covariance, which accounted for differences in executive functioning, found no evidence for impaired cognitive empathy in depression. All three groups performed equally well in understanding mental states. However, both IRI and MET confirmed the hypothesis of significant deficits in affective empathy. Patients reported higher personal distress than controls, and showed lower affective responses towards positive emotions in others. There was no difference between patient groups. Childhood maltreatment was further related to reduced affective empathy. The present results contribute to our understanding of social dysfunction in depression, since loss of emotional reactivity to the feelings of others is considered to reduce the desire to engage in social interaction, thus leading to isolation and aggravation of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Guhn
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Lydia Merkel
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Hübner
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Isabel Dziobek
- Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology of Social Interaction, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Sterzer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Köhler
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
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21
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The role of empathy in the mechanism linking parental psychological control to emotional reactivities to COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot study among Chinese emerging adults. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2020; 168:110399. [PMID: 32982001 PMCID: PMC7500908 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2020.110399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its worldwide spread have brought economic, social and personal stress. To better understand human adjustments to this public health emergency and its underlying mechanism, the relationship between perceived parental psychological control in emerging adults and individual's emotional reactivity to COVID-19 as well as the role of empathy was examined. The study was conducted among 445 emerging adults using questionnaires measuring parental psychological control, empathy, and emotional reactivities in the initial stage of COVID-19. Results revealed that parental psychological control conferred risks for individual's increased negative emotional reactivity to this pandemic. Moreover, our findings shedlight on personal distress as a mechanism through which parental psychological control induces negative emotional reactivities. Although no direct effect between parental psychological control and positive emotional reactivity was found, personal distress and perspective taking mediate the association in an opposite way. Findings have implications for predicting and intervening mental health problems in COVID-19 pandemic and future public health emergency.
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22
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Hudson AR, Orlemann C, Van Tricht T, Brass M, Mueller SC. Depression, trauma and mentalizing: No influence of depressive symptoms on spontaneous theory of mind in a subclinical sample. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2020; 66:442-451. [PMID: 32308084 DOI: 10.1177/0020764020914918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depressive symptoms are associated with impaired social functioning, arguably because of reduced mentalizing abilities. However, findings in persons with depressive symptoms and/or major depressive disorder (MDD) are presently mixed, finding evidence both for and against the hypothesis of reduced mentalizing abilities. AIMS This study investigated spontaneous cognitive mentalizing in 36 age-, sex- and education-matched students with depressive symptoms and 45 comparisons with minimal depressive symptoms. METHOD To assess spontaneous mentalizing, we used the implicit theory of mind (ToM) task, which looks specifically at spontaneous computation of false belief. RESULTS Bayesian analysis did not support the hypothesis of impaired mentalizing; in fact, it suggested that the results were 3.90 times more likely to have occurred under the null hypothesis. Results remained stable when comparing depressed and non-depressed individuals without maltreatment exposure but were inconclusive in the maltreatment-exposed groups. CONCLUSION The findings suggest no effect of spontaneous mentalizing in a high-functioning depressed sample. Moreover, the findings also emphasize the need to control for childhood maltreatment experiences in future ToM and social functioning research, as these may constitute subgroups within depressed samples. Tailored therapy for maltreated depression individuals may be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R Hudson
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Corinne Orlemann
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tine Van Tricht
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marcel Brass
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sven C Mueller
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Personality, Psychological Assessment and Treatment, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
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23
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Wu H, Liu X, Hagan CC, Mobbs D. Mentalizing during social InterAction: A four component model. Cortex 2020; 126:242-252. [PMID: 32092493 PMCID: PMC7739946 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2019.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Mentalizing, conventionally defined as the process in which we infer the inner thoughts and intentions of others, is a fundamental component of human social cognition. Yet its role, and the nuanced layers involved, in real world social interaction are rarely discussed. To account for this lack of theory, we propose the interactive mentalizing theory (IMT) -to emphasize the role of metacognition in different mentalizing components. We discuss the connection between mentalizing, metacognition, and social interaction in the context of four elements of mentalizing: (i) Metacognition-inference of our own thought processes and social cognitions and which is central to all other components of mentalizing including: (ii) first-order mentalizing-inferring the thoughts and intentions of an agent's mind; (iii) personal second-order mentalizing-inference of other's mentalizing of one's own mind; (iv) Collective mentalizing: which takes at least two forms (a) vicarious mentalizing: adopting another's mentalizing of an agent (i.e., what we think others think of an agent) and (b) co-mentalizing: mentalizing about an agent in conjunction with others' mentalizing of that agent (i.e., conforming to others beliefs about another agent's internal states). The weights of these four elements is determined by metacognitive insight and confidence in one's own or another's mentalizing ability, yielding a dynamic interaction between these circuits. To advance our knowledge on mentalizing during live social interaction, we identify how these subprocesses can be organized by different target agents and facilitated by combining computational modeling and interactive brain approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, USA
| | - Xun Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
| | - Cindy C Hagan
- Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, USA.
| | - Dean Mobbs
- Division of Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, USA; Computation and Neural Systems Program at the California Institute of Technology, USA.
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24
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Dittrich K, Bermpohl F, Kluczniok D, Hindi Attar C, Jaite C, Fuchs A, Neukel C, Herpertz SC, Brunner R, Winter SM, Lehmkuhl U, Roepke S, Kaess M, Heim C, Boedeker K. Alterations of empathy in mothers with a history of early life maltreatment, depression, and borderline personality disorder and their effects on child psychopathology. Psychol Med 2020; 50:1182-1190. [PMID: 31115280 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291719001107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life maltreatment (ELM), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and major depressive disorder (MDD) have been associated with empathy deficits in different domains. Lack of maternal empathy has also been related to child behavioral problems. As ELM, BPD, and MDD often co-occur, we aimed to identify dissociable effects on empathy due to these three factors. In addition, we aimed to investigate their indirect effects via empathy on child psychopathology. METHODS We included 251 mothers with and without MDD (in remission), BPD and ELM and their children, aged 5-12. We used the Interpersonal Reactivity Index as a measure of empathy on four different dimensions (personal distress, empathic concern, perspective taking, and fantasy) and the Child Behavior Checklist as a measure of child psychopathology. RESULTS Having included all three factors (ELM, MDD, BPD) in one analysis, we found elevated personal distress in MDD and BPD, and lower levels of perspective-taking in BPD, but no effects from ELM on any empathy subscales. Furthermore, we found indirect effects from maternal BPD and MDD on child psychopathology, via maternal personal distress. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated the dissociable effects of maternal ELM, MDD, and BPD on empathy. Elevated personal distress in mothers with BPD and MDD may lead to higher levels of child psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Dittrich
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Bermpohl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dorothea Kluczniok
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Catherine Hindi Attar
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Charlotte Jaite
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Fuchs
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital Heidelberg, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Corinne Neukel
- University Hospital Heidelberg, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, General Psychiatry, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- University Hospital Heidelberg, Centre for Psychosocial Medicine, General Psychiatry, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Romuald Brunner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sibylle Maria Winter
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Lehmkuhl
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Roepke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Kaess
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christine Heim
- Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, Pennsylvania State University, College of Health and Human Development, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Katja Boedeker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
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25
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Xiong G, Dong D, Cheng C, Jiang Y, Sun X, He J, Li C, Gao Y, Zhong X, Zhao H, Wang X, Yao S. State-independent and -dependent structural alterations in limbic-cortical regions in patients with current and remitted depression. J Affect Disord 2019; 258:1-10. [PMID: 31382099 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high recurrence of major depressive disorder (MDD) may derive from underlying state-independent structural alterations. METHODS First-episode drug-naïve currently depressed (cMDD) patients (N = 97), remitted depressed (RD) patients (N = 72), and healthy controls (HCs, N = 100) underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Group differences in cortical thickness (CT), surface area (SA), and local gyrification index (lGI) were analyzed in FreeSurfer. RESULTS Both groups of depressed patients had significantly decreased CT, relative to HCs, in the left precentral gyrus and significantly increased lGI values in the left superior frontal gyrus (SFG) indicative of state-independent alterations. Relative to HCs, the cMDD group had decreased CT of the SFG, caudal middle frontal gyrus (MFG), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and lateral occipital regions as well as increased SA or lGI of the superior temporal gyrus, precuneus, and pericalcarine, whereas the RD group had increased SA or lGI of the SFG, caudal MFG, and supramarginal gyrus; these alterations appeared to be state-dependent. SA or lGI values of the fusiform gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus, and superior parietal lobule differed between the cMDD and RD groups, consistent with state-dependent alterations. Beck depression inventory scores correlated with CT or lGI values of the caudal MFG, lateral occipital cortex in depressed patients. LIMITATIONS The structural features of several subcortical limbic regions were not analyzed. CONCLUSIONS Left precentral gyrus CT and left SFG gyrification alterations may represent state-independent alterations in MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Xiong
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Daifeng Dong
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Chang Cheng
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yali Jiang
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Sun
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Jiayue He
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Chuting Li
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; China National Clinical Research Center on Mental disorders (Xiangya), Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yidian Gao
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Xue Zhong
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Haofei Zhao
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; China National Clinical Research Center on Mental disorders (Xiangya), Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Shuqiao Yao
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; China National Clinical Research Center on Mental disorders (Xiangya), Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
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Stietz J, Jauk E, Krach S, Kanske P. Dissociating Empathy From Perspective-Taking: Evidence From Intra- and Inter-Individual Differences Research. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:126. [PMID: 30930803 PMCID: PMC6428036 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans have the capacity to share others' emotions, be they positive or negative. Elicited by the observed or imagined emotion of another person, an observer develops a similar emotional state herself. This capacity, empathy, is one of the pillars of social understanding and interaction as it creates a representation of another's inner, mental state. Empathy needs to be dissociated from other social emotions and, crucially, also from cognitive mechanisms of understanding others, the ability to take others' perspective. Here, we describe the conceptual distinctions of these constructs and review behavioral and neural evidence that dissociates them. The main focus of the present review lies on the intraindividual changes in empathy and perspective-taking across the lifespan and on interindividual differences on subclinical and clinical levels. The data show that empathy and perspective-taking recruit distinct neural circuits and can be discerned already during early and throughout adult development. Both capacities also vary substantially between situations and people. Differences can be systematically related to situational characteristics as well as personality traits and mental disorders. The clear distinction of affect sharing from other social emotions like compassion and from cognitive perspective-taking, argues for a clear-cut terminology to describe these constructs. In our view, this speaks against using empathy as an umbrella term encompassing all affective and cognitive routes to understanding others. Unifying the way we speak about these phenomena will help to further research on their underlying mechanisms, psychopathological alterations, and plasticity in training and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Stietz
- Faculty of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Emanuel Jauk
- Faculty of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sören Krach
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Philipp Kanske
- Faculty of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Research Group Social Stress and Family Health, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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Bennik EC, Jeronimus BF, Aan Het Rot M. The relation between empathy and depressive symptoms in a Dutch population sample. J Affect Disord 2019; 242:48-51. [PMID: 30173062 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impairments in social functioning are common in individuals with (sub)clinical levels of depression. One possible underlying mechanism of this relationship is low empathy. The present study examined linear and non-linear associations between empathy and depressive symptoms, and whether these associations were moderated by gender. METHODS Using the Empathy Quotient scale, cognitive and affective empathy were assessed using a large convenience sample from the general Dutch population (N = 3076). Depressive symptoms were indexed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR16). RESULTS Low cognitive empathy was associated with more depressive symptoms. There was a weak positive relation between affective empathy and depressive symptoms, indexed by the QIDS rather than the DASS. LIMITATIONS Generalizing results to the general population remains difficult with a convenience sample. Self-reported data may be affected by social-desirability or sex-stereotypical reporting biases. CONCLUSIONS Our results support a linear relationship between cognitive empathy and symptoms of depression. There was some evidence for non-linear associations and a moderating role of gender, but these patterns were not observed across all types of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise C Bennik
- Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
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28
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Wang YY, Wang Y, Zou YM, Ni K, Tian X, Sun HW, Lui SSY, Cheung EFC, Suckling J, Chan RCK. Theory of mind impairment and its clinical correlates in patients with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Schizophr Res 2018; 197:349-356. [PMID: 29122405 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although Theory of Mind (ToM) impairment has been observed in patients with a wide range of mental disorders, the similarity and uniqueness of these deficits across diagnostic groups has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS We recruited 35 participants with schizophrenia (SCZ), 35 with bipolar disorder (BD), 35 with major depressive disorder (MDD), and 35 healthy controls in this study. All participants were matched in age, gender proportion and IQ estimates. The Yoni task, capturing both the cognitive and affective components of ToM at the first- and second-order level was administered. Repeated-measure ANOVA and MANOVA were conducted to compare the group differences in ToM performance. A network was then constructed with ToM performances, psychotic and depressive symptoms, and executive function as nodes exploring the clinical correlates of ToM. RESULTS Overall, ToM impairments were observed in all patient groups compared with healthy controls, with patients with SCZ performing worse than those with BD. In second-order conditions, patients with SCZ and MDD showed deficits in both cognitive and affective conditions, while patients with BD performed significantly poorer in cognitive conditions. Network analysis showed that second-order affective ToM performance was associated with psychotic and depressive symptoms as well as executive dysfunction, while second-order affective ToM performance and negative symptoms showed relatively high centrality in the network. CONCLUSIONS Patients with SCZ, MDD and BD exhibited different types and severity of impairments in ToM sub-components. Impairment in higher-order affective ToM appears to be closely related to clinical symptoms in both psychotic and affective disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Yu Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Shandong 261053, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Ying-Min Zou
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Ke Ni
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100048, China; Mental Health Center of Qiqihar city, Heilongjiang 161006, China
| | - Xue Tian
- Department of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Hong-Wei Sun
- Department of Psychology, Weifang Medical University, Shandong 261053, China
| | - Simon S Y Lui
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China; Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - Eric F C Cheung
- Castle Peak Hospital, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
| | - John Suckling
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Trust, Cambridge CB2 0SZ, United Kingdom
| | - Raymond C K Chan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Beijing 100101, China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100048, China.
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Cao Y, Chen X, Xie H, Zou L, Hu LJ, Zhou XJ. Correlation between Electroencephalogram Alterations and Frontal Cognitive Impairment in Esophageal Cancer Patients Complicated with Depression. Chin Med J (Engl) 2018; 130:1785-1790. [PMID: 28748850 PMCID: PMC5547829 DOI: 10.4103/0366-6999.211552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Some esophageal cancer patients complicated with depression exhibit cognitive impairments. Frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) may be used as a reliable biomarker for prefrontal-mediated cognitive functions. This study was to investigate alterations of EEG and frontal cognitive impairment in esophageal cancer patients complicated with depression and to assess their correlation. METHODS Sixty-five esophageal cancer patients with depression (study group) and 62 healthy controls (control group) were included in this study. The study group were assigned into psychotic depressed (PD, n = 32) and nonpsychotic depressed (NPD, n = 33) subgroups based on complication with psychotic symptoms (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale [BPRS] >35). EEG examination, Beck self-rating depression scale, and BPRS were used to assess clinical symptoms. Chi-square test, two independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and Kruskal-Wallis test were utilized to compare the variables between two groups. EEG abnormalities and scores of frontal cognitive function test were analyzed by partial correlation analysis in the PD and NPD subgroups. RESULTS Compared with control group, the study group displayed greater scores either in the Stroop test (19.89 ± 2.05 vs. 24.12 ± 2.19, P = 0.006) or Color Trails Test (CTT; 11.92 ± 1.01 vs. 15.02 ± 1.63, P = 0.008), and reduced score (35.05 ± 2.01 vs. 32.11 ± 2.38, P = 0.007) in the verbal fluency test (VFT). Compared to NPD subgroup, PD subgroup exhibited increased scores in Stroop test (22.89 ± 2.07 vs. 25.38 ± 2.32, P = 0.009) and CTT (13.16 ± 1.71 vs. 15.82 ± 1.13, P = 0.008). Moreover, increased scores in Stroop test and CTT as well as scores in VFT were associated with the severity of depression. The study group had an abnormal frontal EEG, such as α forward, α asymmetry, α moderation, and increased θ activity relative to control group. Similarly, compared with NPD subgroup, PD subgroup displayed α forward, α asymmetry, and α moderation. The correlation test revealed that α forward and α asymmetry were negatively associated with VFT score, but positively correlated with the scores of CTT and the Stroop test in PD subgroup. In addition, α asymmetry in NPD subgroup was positively related to CTT scores. CONCLUSION This study indicated that frontal cognitive impairment in esophageal cancer patients complicated with depression is associated with EEG alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Cao
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213003, China
| | - Xia Chen
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213003, China
| | - Hui Xie
- Electroencephalogram Laboratory, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213003, China
| | - Ling Zou
- Department of Automation, School of Information Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213000, China
| | - Li-Jun Hu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213003, China
| | - Xian-Ju Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurological Diseases, Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213003, China
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Guhn A, Sterzer P, Haack FH, Köhler S. Affective and cognitive reactivity to mood induction in chronic depression. J Affect Disord 2018; 229:275-281. [PMID: 29329060 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.12.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic depression (CD) is strongly associated with childhood maltreatment, which has been proposed to lead to inefficient coping styles that are characterized by abnormal affective responsiveness and dysfunctional cognitive attitudes. However, while this notion forms an important basis for psychotherapeutic strategies in the treatment of CD, there is still little direct empirical evidence for a role of altered affective and cognitive reactivity in CD. The present study therefore experimentally investigated affective and cognitive reactivity to two forms of negative mood induction in CD patients versus a healthy control sample (HC). METHODS For the general mood induction procedure, a combination of sad pictures and sad music was used, while for individualized mood induction, negative mood was induced by individualized scripts with autobiographical content. Both experiments included n = 15 CD patients versus n = 15 HC, respectively. Interactions between affective or cognitive reactivity and group were analyzed by repeated measurements ANOVAs. RESULTS General mood induction neither revealed affective nor cognitive reactivity in the patient group while the control group reported the expected decrease of positive affect [interaction (IA) affective reactivity x group: p = .011, cognitive reactivity x group: n.s.]. In contrast, individualized mood induction specifically increased affective reactivity (IA: p = .037) as well as the amount of dysfunctional cognitions in patients versus controls (IA: p = .014). LIMITATIONS The experiments were not balanced in a crossover design, causal conclusions are thus limited. Additionally, the differences to non-chronic forms of depression are still outstanding. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that in patients with CD, specific emotional activation through autobiographical memories is a key factor in dysfunctional coping styles. Psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at modifying affective and cognitive reactivity are thus of high relevance in the treatment of CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Guhn
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Charité Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Philipp Sterzer
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Charité Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Friderike H Haack
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Charité Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Köhler
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Charité Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
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