The relation of depressive symptoms to social-emotional expertise in adults

Social cognition refers to the mental processes required for effective social interactions. The negative relation of depression to most aspects of social cognition has been well established. However, social-emotional expertise (SEE) is the social-cognitive ability to effectively adapt and express verbal and nonverbal behavior in social interaction. The relation of depression to SEE deficits has not been well-documented.

The current study examined the relation of SEE to depressive symptoms in adults and explored associations of depression factors (somatic symptoms, depressed affect, positive affect, and interpersonal problems) to SEE factors (expressivity and adaptability). Participants were recruited through Qualtrics Panels and completed self-report measures of SEE and depressive symptoms. Participants were oversampled for high levels of depressive symptoms. Of 219 adults (M_age = 52.28, SD = 17.68 years; 58% female); 110 reported high levels of depression, and 109 reported low levels of depression.

In linear regression analyses, depressive symptoms were negatively associated with SEE (β = -0.46, p < .001), adaptability (β = -0.48, p < .001), and expressivity (β = -0.38, p < .001), and of depression factors, only interpersonal problems (βs ranged from -0.32 to -0.38, ps < 0.001) and positive affect (βs ranged from -0.24 to -0.36, ps < 0.001) were negatively associated with SEE, adaptability, and expressivity.

This investigation was limited by self-report and cross-sectional design.

SEE is related to current experiences of depression, particularly interpersonal difficulties and reductions in positive affect. Future work examining tailored interventions for depression may benefit from a focus on adapting to and being expressive in social interactions.