Bridget A Nestor1, Susanna Sutherland2, Judy Garber2. 1. Vanderbilt University, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Peabody #552, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA. Electronic address: bridget.a.nestor@vanderbilt.edu. 2. Vanderbilt University, Department of Psychology and Human Development, Peabody #552, 230 Appleton Place, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Theory of mind (ToM) is a social-cognitive skill that involves the ability to understand the thoughts and feelings of others. Evidence is mixed regarding the extent of ToM ability in individuals with depression. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of 43 studies to investigate the strength of the association between ToM and depression. RESULTS: Results indicated significant, small- to moderate impairment in ToM with a medium overall effect size (g = -0.398) in individuals with depression. Moderator analyses compared effect sizes across groups for the following variables: ToM content, process, and sample type. Additionally, meta-regression analyses tested age and gender as continuous moderators. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional nature of included studies limits this meta-analysis from clarifying temporal or bidirectional relations. CONCLUSIONS: We discuss findings in the context of the extant developmental, cognitive, social, and clinical literatures. We also suggest several possible explanations for these findings and offer implications for intervention.
BACKGROUND: Theory of mind (ToM) is a social-cognitive skill that involves the ability to understand the thoughts and feelings of others. Evidence is mixed regarding the extent of ToM ability in individuals with depression. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of 43 studies to investigate the strength of the association between ToM and depression. RESULTS: Results indicated significant, small- to moderate impairment in ToM with a medium overall effect size (g = -0.398) in individuals with depression. Moderator analyses compared effect sizes across groups for the following variables: ToM content, process, and sample type. Additionally, meta-regression analyses tested age and gender as continuous moderators. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional nature of included studies limits this meta-analysis from clarifying temporal or bidirectional relations. CONCLUSIONS: We discuss findings in the context of the extant developmental, cognitive, social, and clinical literatures. We also suggest several possible explanations for these findings and offer implications for intervention.
Authors: Andrée M Cusi; Anthony Nazarov; Katherine Holshausen; Glenda M Macqueen; Margaret C McKinnon Journal: J Psychiatry Neurosci Date: 2012-05 Impact factor: 6.186