The relation between different executive functions and depressive symptoms in young adults in Croatia

The study aims to explore the specific relation of different executive functions with depressive symptoms in a non-clinical sample of young adults in Croatia. The online study included 290 young adults (aged 18-35). Participants completed a PHQ-9 questionnaire that assessed depressive symptoms, one...

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Main Authors: Tamara Bolić, Silvija Ručević, Sandra Brezetić
Format: Article
Language:Bosnian
Published: Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad 2025-07-01
Series:Primenjena Psihologija
Subjects:
Online Access:https://primenjena.psihologija.ff.uns.ac.rs/index.php/pp/article/view/2568
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author Tamara Bolić
Silvija Ručević
Sandra Brezetić
author_facet Tamara Bolić
Silvija Ručević
Sandra Brezetić
author_sort Tamara Bolić
collection DOAJ
description The study aims to explore the specific relation of different executive functions with depressive symptoms in a non-clinical sample of young adults in Croatia. The online study included 290 young adults (aged 18-35). Participants completed a PHQ-9 questionnaire that assessed depressive symptoms, one measure of executive functions using self-report, and two behavioural tasks measuring working memory and inhibition. Partial correlation analysis indicated that better working memory (measured using both self-report and a behavioural task) is related to less depressive symptoms in young adults. Contrary to expectations, the relation between inhibition and depressive symptoms was not confirmed. Additionally, the regression analysis suggests that working memory task is an important predictor of depressive symptoms, even after controlling for participant’s education level, financial status, and level of resilience. Research shows that certain executive functions are differentially related to mental health in young adults. Additional research is needed to explore the mechanism underlying these differences and aid the creation of more appropriate treatment plans.
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spelling doaj-art-bf8af877d5924e488765020833e7d96a2025-08-20T02:37:20ZbosFaculty of Philosophy, University of Novi SadPrimenjena Psihologija1821-01472334-72872025-07-0118210.19090/pp.v18i2.2568The relation between different executive functions and depressive symptoms in young adults in CroatiaTamara Bolić0Silvija Ručević1Sandra Brezetić2Institute of Social Sciences Ivo Pilar, CroatiaFaculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, CroatiaFaculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia The study aims to explore the specific relation of different executive functions with depressive symptoms in a non-clinical sample of young adults in Croatia. The online study included 290 young adults (aged 18-35). Participants completed a PHQ-9 questionnaire that assessed depressive symptoms, one measure of executive functions using self-report, and two behavioural tasks measuring working memory and inhibition. Partial correlation analysis indicated that better working memory (measured using both self-report and a behavioural task) is related to less depressive symptoms in young adults. Contrary to expectations, the relation between inhibition and depressive symptoms was not confirmed. Additionally, the regression analysis suggests that working memory task is an important predictor of depressive symptoms, even after controlling for participant’s education level, financial status, and level of resilience. Research shows that certain executive functions are differentially related to mental health in young adults. Additional research is needed to explore the mechanism underlying these differences and aid the creation of more appropriate treatment plans. https://primenjena.psihologija.ff.uns.ac.rs/index.php/pp/article/view/2568executive functions, working memory, inhibition, depressive symptoms, young adults
spellingShingle Tamara Bolić
Silvija Ručević
Sandra Brezetić
The relation between different executive functions and depressive symptoms in young adults in Croatia
Primenjena Psihologija
executive functions, working memory, inhibition, depressive symptoms, young adults
title The relation between different executive functions and depressive symptoms in young adults in Croatia
title_full The relation between different executive functions and depressive symptoms in young adults in Croatia
title_fullStr The relation between different executive functions and depressive symptoms in young adults in Croatia
title_full_unstemmed The relation between different executive functions and depressive symptoms in young adults in Croatia
title_short The relation between different executive functions and depressive symptoms in young adults in Croatia
title_sort relation between different executive functions and depressive symptoms in young adults in croatia
topic executive functions, working memory, inhibition, depressive symptoms, young adults
url https://primenjena.psihologija.ff.uns.ac.rs/index.php/pp/article/view/2568
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