The relation of depressive symptoms to theory of mind in adults

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.

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).

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.

This investigation was primarily limited by cross-sectional designs, self-report, and online delivery of measures.

Findings emphasize the heterogeneity of ToM as a construct and identify targets for clinical intervention, with specific focus on bolstering reasoning ToM skills.