The role of executive functioning in risk for depression: A multi-method longitudinal investigation

Letkiewicz, Allison M.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/105862 Copy

Description

Title

The role of executive functioning in risk for depression: A multi-method longitudinal investigation

Author(s)

Letkiewicz, Allison M.

Issue Date

2019-06-21

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Heller, Wendy

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Heller, Wendy

Committee Member(s)

• Berenbaum, Howard
• Rudolph, Karen
• Hankin, Benjamin
• Sutton, Brad

Department of Study

Psychology

Discipline

Psychology

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

depression, depression risk factors, executive function

Abstract

Broad deficits in executive function (EF) are a common finding in clinical depression. Previously considered to be the result of depression, impaired EF is increasingly recognized as a risk factor that has implications for the onset and course of depression. While the developmental literature indicates that EF deficits prospectively predict future depression, prospective work with adults has been limited. The present studies prospectively assessed whether EF deficits predict future depressive symptoms using multiple measures of EF. Study 1 examined relationships between self-reported EF deficits, a task-based measure of updating working memory (WM), and current and future depressive symptoms among adults who were not selected for psychopathology risk. Study 2 examined relationships among self-reported EF deficits, task-based measures of inhibition, shifting, and updating WM, neural activity during an fMRI task that assessed inhibitory functioning, and current and future depressive symptoms among adults who were selected for psychopathology risk. Study 1 found that broad self-reported EF deficits and the task-based measure of updating WM predicted current and future depressive symptoms, although only self-reported shifting predicted future depressive symptoms after controlling for baseline symptoms of depression and anxiety. Study 2 found that broad self-reported EF predicted current and future depressive symptoms, though only self-reported inhibition and WM predicted future depressive symptoms after controlling for baseline symptoms of depression and anxiety. Only task-based inhibition predicted current depressive symptoms, whereas updating WM and a general measure of EF predicted future depressive symptoms. Furthermore, aberrant neural activity for positive stimuli during the fMRI task predicted future depressive symptoms. Results indicate that, among adults, EF deficits confer risk for future depression.

Graduation Semester

2019-08

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/105862

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2019 Allison Letkiewicz

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