The relation of depressive symptoms to theory of mind in adults.

BACKGROUND:Theory of mind (ToM) is the ability to understand thoughts and feelings of others. Significant heterogeneity exists for the strength of the association between depression and ToM performance. METHODS:To clarify these relations, two studies of depressed and nondepressed adults investigate cross-sectional associations of four latent depression factors (i.e., somatic symptoms, depressed affect, positive affect, and interpersonal problems) to two aspects of ToM (reasoning vs. decoding). Study 1 investigated associations between depression factors and reasoning ToM (N = 258), and Study 2 investigated associations between depression factors and decoding ToM (N = 219). RESULTS:In Study 1, the interpersonal problems factor was negatively related to reasoning ToM, though in Study 2, no consistent associations emerged between depression and decoding ToM. Study 2 also replicated a novel approach to assessing valence with the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test. LIMITATIONS:This investigation was primarily limited by cross-sectional designs, self-report, and online delivery of measures. CONCLUSIONS:Findings emphasize the heterogeneity of ToM as a construct and identify targets for clinical intervention, with specific focus on bolstering reasoning ToM skills.