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A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
Published on: February 22, 2018
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In the here and now: Future thinking and social problem-solving in depression.
Saima Noreen1, Barbara Dritschel2
1Department of Psychology, De Montfort University, Leicester, England.
Plos One
|June 30, 2022
Summary
Thinking about resolved problem consequences improves social problem-solving in depression. Impaired inhibitory control in depression links to poor social problem-solving abilities, suggesting new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychiatric Research
Background:
- Social problem-solving deficits are common in clinical depression.
- The relationship between social problem-solving and cognitive functions like inhibitory control is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if focusing on resolved consequences enhances social problem-solving in depressed individuals.
- To examine the link between impaired social problem-solving and inhibitory control in depression.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-six depressed and 43 non-depressed participants generated consequences for social problems (resolved vs. unresolved).
- Participants then attempted to solve these problems and completed cognitive tasks (Emotional Stroop, Flanker) measuring inhibitory control.
Main Results:
- Depressed participants showed improved social problem-solving when focusing on resolved consequences, unlike unresolved ones.
- Impaired performance on the Stroop task by depressed participants suggests deficits in inhibitory control.
- A correlation was found between impaired inhibitory control and poorer social problem-solving in depression.
Conclusions:
- Generating resolved consequences can be a viable strategy to improve social problem-solving in depression.
- Impaired inhibitory control is a significant cognitive factor contributing to social problem-solving difficulties in depressed individuals.
- Findings may inform the development of targeted interventions for enhancing social problem-solving skills in depression.
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