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Updated: Feb 4, 2026
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Individualized rTMS Treatment for Depression using an fMRI-Based Targeting Method
Published on: August 2, 2021
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Model-based learning and individual differences in depression: The moderating role of stress
Aaron S Heller1, C E Chiemeka Ezie1, A Ross Otto2
1Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA.
Behaviour Research and Therapy
|October 2, 2018
Summary
Depression risk is linked to rigid decision-making, especially under stress. This study found that higher depression levels led to less goal-directed choices when participants were stressed.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Clinical Psychology
- Mood Disorders Research
Background:
- Inflexible decision-making is a proposed transdiagnostic risk factor for mood disorders.
- This inflexibility may be triggered by negative affect or stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between depression, anxiety, and decision-making under stress.
- To determine if stress impacts habitual versus goal-directed choice in individuals with varying depression and anxiety levels.
Main Methods:
- 151 participants completed depression and anxiety symptom measures.
- A two-stage decision-making task assessed habitual and goal-directed choice.
- An experimental stress manipulation was introduced mid-task.
Main Results:
- Individuals with higher depression became less goal-directed (model-based) after stress induction.
- Trait anxiety did not correlate with decision-making changes under stress.
- Anhedonia was associated with stress-induced changes in model-based decision-making.
Conclusions:
- Depression risk is associated with reflexive decision-making, particularly under stress.
- Stress may unmask or exacerbate decision-making inflexibility in depression.
- Anhedonia may play a role in stress-related decision-making deficits.
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