Distinct Executive Functioning Profiles in Depression and Anxiety Disorder: Association with Mental Health and Mood Anxiety Symptoms

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was compare the executive functioning profiles of patients with anxiety and depression. A secondary aim was to assess the association of the specific executive functions with mental health and mood anxiety symptoms in patients with depression and anxiety. This study included 240 participants divided into two groups: 120 patients with depression and 120 patients with anxiety disorder. The participants were assessed on performance measures of executive functioning taping inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. Moreover, they were assessed on self-report measures of psychological distress, life satisfaction, and mood anxiety symptoms. The findings showed that individuals with depression showed specific deficits in cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibition, while those with anxiety disorder presented more distinct impairments in working memory and cognitive flexibility. The linear regression analysis aimed to determine the predictive role of executive functions in mental health as measured by life satisfaction and psychological distress. Findings from regression analysis showed that individuals with anxiety and depression showed a significant but distinct associations between specific executive functioning and mood-anxiety symptoms, life satisfaction, and psychological distress.