Persistent negative self-referent thinking in the context of depression

Examining the Role of Temperament and Emotion Regulation

Datos Bibliográficos

ID7149976
AutoresEline Belmans (0000-0001-9979-512X, KU Leuven, autor de correspondencia), Keisuke Takano (0000-0003-0406-8654, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München), Patricia Bijttebier (0000-0002-0648-7388, Child & Youth Institute, KU Leuven), Caroline Braet (0000-0003-2458-287X, Ghent University), Filip Raes (0000-0003-2770-2806, KU Leuven)
Año2025
Volumen39
Número5
Páginas1093-1107
Fecha de publicación2025-07-04
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCognition & Emotion (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0269-9931 • E-ISSN: 1464-0600
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/02699931.2024.2429736
PMID39565689
OpenAlexW4404531988
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas58

Cognitive models of depression posit that persistent negative self-referent thinking (PNSRT) is an important vulnerability factor for depressive symptoms. The mechanisms involved are still understudied, especially in adolescence. PNSRT has been assessed by a behavioural decision-making task, namely the emotional reversal learning task (ERLT). Within the ERLT, PNSRT is operationalised as the learning rate for negative self-reference. The first aim of the current study is to examine the association between PNSRT and depressive symptoms at baseline and follow-up. Second, the current study investigated associations of PNSRT with temperamental and emotion regulation variables. We found no significant effect between PNSRT and baseline depressive symptoms, although the small effect size pointed in the expected direction. No significant prospective effect was found. Additionally, adolescents with greater capacity for response inhibition and better attentional control exhibited less PNSRT. No other significant associations were found with other temperamental dimensions or emotion regulation variables. In conclusion, while the small effect size of the cross-sectional association between PNSRT and depressive symptoms points in the expected direction, no significant evidence was found that PNSRT acts as either a concomitant or precursor to depressive symptomatology. However, the current study did find a relation between low effortful control and PNSRT

Cognition · Cognitive vulnerability · Depressive symptoms · Developmental psychology · Personality · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Referent · Temperament · Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Mental Health Research Topics · Psychology · Social Psychology