Abstract
The aim of this study was to see if and how the intensity of depression correlates with the cognitive representation of notions, and if any influence is reversed during remission. The cognitive representation indices used were the valence and number of metaphors produced for a notion. Three adult groups took part: persons with depression (n = 30), persons in remission (n = 12), and a control group (n = 30). Five notions were considered: PAST, FUTURE, JOY, SADNESS, and HAPPINESS. The Questionnaire of the Metaphorical Conceptualization of a Notion was used. The results showed that (a) depressive subjects did not have problems with metaphorical processing, (b) depressive subjects demonstrated strong interpretational negativism, (c) subjects during remission did not present distorted conceptual processing. The results are discussed in the context of theories of automatic metaphor processing, and conceptions of cognitive depressive distortions, in tasks requiring effort and substantial involvement of cognitive resources.
Highlights
Cognitive Disturbances in Depression Possibly Affecting the Comprehension of NotionsDepression is a disease involving low mood and changes in emotional reactivity, as well as integral disturbances in cognitive functioning
Higher marks for metaphorical sentences regarding PAST and FUTURE given by the experimental group; PAST—E: M = 15.83, SD = 2.70; C: M = 11.83, SD = 2.84, t (58) = 5.58, p < .001; FUTURE—E: M = 16.10, SD = 1.95; C: M = 14.13, SD = 2.36, t (58) = 3.52, p < .001; can be considered as agreeing with the hypothesis, if we assume that these notions have a negative valence for patients suffering from depression
Considering the cognitive distortions occurring in people suffering from depression, and premises suggesting a difference in the valence of representations produced by depressive and healthy subjects, one could conclude that depressive subjects would be more likely than subjects from the control group to choose as accurate those items that have a lower level of conventionalization, and are used less often in speech
Summary
Cognitive Disturbances in Depression Possibly Affecting the Comprehension of NotionsDepression is a disease involving low mood and changes in emotional reactivity, as well as integral disturbances in cognitive functioning (cf. the diagnostic standards ICD-10, Puzynski and Wciórka 1997; and DSM-IV, APA 1994). Cognitive Disturbances in Depression Possibly Affecting the Comprehension of Notions. Depression is a disease involving low mood and changes in emotional reactivity, as well as integral disturbances in cognitive functioning (cf the diagnostic standards ICD-10, Puzynski and Wciórka 1997; and DSM-IV, APA 1994). The literature describes a number of disturbances of cognitive function in depression (for a brief review, see Talarowska et al 2009), including executive dysfunction (e.g., Holmes and Pizzagalli 2007), memory deficits. Is a more detailed discussion on attention and memory dysfunction, both related to depression, since these aspects of cognitive functioning seem important in the metaphorical processing of notions.
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