Examining Pubertal and Cognitive Differences in Adolescent Depressive Symptoms Using Drift Diffusion Modeling

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Adolescence is a critical period for depression onset.
• Cognitive and biological factors interact to influence depression risk.
• Drift diffusion modeling (DDM) offers insights into cognitive mechanisms of depression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the interplay between cognitive processes (DDM parameters) and pubertal timing in adolescent depression risk.
• To examine whether DDM parameters moderate the relationship between pubertal timing and depressive symptoms.

Main Methods:

• 103 diverse adolescents completed cognitive tasks (Stroop, Emotional Stroop) and self-report measures.
• DDM (EZ diffusion model) parameters (drift rate, boundary separation, non-decision time) were derived.
• Moderation analyses assessed interactions between DDM parameters and pubertal timing.

Main Results:

• Earlier pubertal timing was associated with increased depressive symptoms.
• Boundary separation significantly interacted with pubertal timing in both tasks.
• This interaction indicated that earlier development predicted higher depressive symptoms specifically in youth with high boundary separation.

Conclusions:

• Both cognitive (decision-making styles) and biological (pubertal timing) factors contribute to adolescent depression risk.
• DDM can identify specific cognitive vulnerabilities, such as cautious decision-making, associated with depression.
• Findings may inform understanding of rumination, indecision, and error monitoring in adolescent depression.