Depression and Executive Dysfunction in Young Adults; Implications for Therapy
Journal Title: Journal of Depression and Therapy - Year 2015, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
The prevalence of young adults endorsing depressive symptomatology is thought to peak during late adolescence. While there has been a wealth of research assessing the relationship between decline of the prefrontal cortex and how this process impacts depression and therapy in older adults, very little is known about the relationship on the younger end of the continuum. The current study sought to explore whether there is also a significant relationship between executive functioning and depression in younger adults. In addition, different types of executive dysfunction were assessed to better understand the possible implications for therapy in younger adults with depressive symptomatology. Data from 1,730 college-aged participants were collected on measures of depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression, CES-D) and executive dysfunction (Dysexecutive Questionnaire, DEX). In addition, three factors of the DEX were assessed; Executive cognition (EC), emotional/ behavioral control (EMO), and metacognition (MC). Correlations between CES-D scores and the full DEX survey were statistically significant (R = .45, p < .001) as were correlations between CES-D scores and scores on each individual factor (p< .001). A multiple linear regression was run to demonstrate the predictive value of each individual DEX factor as a function of CES-D scores (p < .001). Results suggested that there was a clear relationship between depressive symptoms and executive dysfunction and that all factors of the DEX appeared to be affected by depressive symptoms in this population. The implications of these results for therapy, particularly the use of problem-solving therapy or complimentary executive functioning training are discussed.
Authors and Affiliations
Deana B Davalos, Lara Pantlin, Hannah Crosby
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP262505
- DOI 10.14302/issn.2476-1710.jdt-15-825
- Views 126
- Downloads 0
Cognitive Behavior Therapy in The School Setting: A Case Study of A Nine Year Old Anxious Boy with Extreme Blushing
Within the field of school psychology there is a gap between research and practice, caused by difficulties in translating the programs from research to the realities of the school setting. Illustrations of real-life case...
The Antidepressant-Like Activity of the New Tetrapeptide Neuroprotector Kk-1, Homologous of Acth15-18 Sequence (An Experimental Study)
The aim of study is to evaluate antidepressant-like activity of the new peptidergic neuroprotector acetyl-(D-Lys)-Lys-Arg-Arg-amide, homologous of ACTH15-18 primary amino acids sequence, that demonstrates nootropic and n...
Basal Serum Cortisol Levels, Depression and Medial Temporal Lobe Atrophy in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease
Objectives: Changes in serum cortisol levels have been reported in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Atrophy of Medial Temporal Lobes (MTLs) is common in both conditions. Glucocorticoids are k...
A Randomized Controlled Biofeedback Intervention Study On Heart Rate Variability In Unemployed Subjects
Background: Unemployment is a chronic stressor which is associated with higher levels of impaired physical and mental wellbeing, e.g. reduced heart rate variability (HRV) and decline in self-esteem and self-efficacy. Th...
“Make My Burden Lighter”: Depression and Social Support in Persons with Disability in Ghana
Depression in the general population has been associated with inadequate or lack of social support. Evidence from the disability field has been limited. This study investigated the relationship of perceived social suppor...