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Need for cognition and depressive symptoms: a mediation model of Dysexecutive function and reappraisal

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Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the mediational effects of dysexecutive function and reappraisal on the relation of the need for cognition and depressive symptoms. Participants were 508 (Mage = 21.86, SDage = 2.44) Chinese college students who responded to the Need for Cognition Scale, the Dysexecutive Questionnaire, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (Reappraisal subscale), and the Self-Rating Depression Scale. The results showed a partial direct association between the need for cognition and depressive symptoms. Specifically, our mediation model revealed that the need for cognition is a direct significant predictor of depressive symptoms, dysexecutive function, and reappraisal. Dysexecutive function predicts depressive symptoms. Furthermore, reappraisal predicts depressive symptoms. In general, the implications of a deeper understanding of the relationship between the need for cognition and depressive symptoms and the prevention of symptoms based on potential mediators are discussed.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgments

The first author would like to appreciate all of the participants included in the study.

Funding

The work were supported by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation [number2017M623100] and the Fundamental Rearch Funds For the Central Universities [number2020TS016].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory for Behavior and Cognitive Neuroscience of Shaanxi Province & School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, 710062, China

    Qi Hui, Chong Yao & Xuqun You

  2. Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China

    Sifan Huang

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  1. Qi Hui
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  2. Chong Yao
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Correspondence to Xuqun You.

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This study methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Human Reasearch Ethics Committee of Shaanxi Normal University. A wrritten informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study.

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Hui, Q., Yao, C., Huang, S. et al. Need for cognition and depressive symptoms: a mediation model of Dysexecutive function and reappraisal. Curr Psychol 42, 14673–14680 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02406-y

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