Exploring expected reward and efficacy in enhancing cognitive control in patients with depression.

BACKGROUND: Depression is associated with impairments in cognitive control. Considering the lack of mechanistic models accounting for cognitive control deficits in depression, the expected value of control (EVC) theory offers a mechanistic view for allocating cognitive control emphasizing motivational components (efficacy, value). Efficacy refers to the possibility that an effort leads to a special outcome and reward refers to the value (amount) associated with the outcome. This study aimed to examine the role of the EVC in depression. METHOD: This study used a within-between-subject design. Participants with depression (n = 36) and healthy controls (n = 31) completed a clinical diagnostic interview, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the General Health Questionnaire-12, and a computer-based incentivized Stroop Color-Word Paradigm in which levels of efficacy (high vs. low) and the amount of rewards (high vs. low) were presented as cues before target stimuli. RESULTS: We found significant interaction effects of group × efficacy and efficacy × reward in terms of reaction time in the Stroop Paradigm. Follow-up analyses indicated the Depressed group were significantly slower than Controls on high efficacy trials, but the two groups did not differ significantly on low efficacy trials. Additionally, on high efficacy trials, reward did not influence performance, but on low efficacy trials, high reward improved performance in both groups. LIMITATION: Lack of neurological measures and eye tracking techniques. CONCLUSION: Overall, our findings suggest that reward and efficacy may jointly improve cognitive control allocation and highlight the need for further research examining EVC theory as a mechanistic account of cognitive control deficits in depression.

The structural model of mother-infant bonding in the first pregnancy based on the mother's attachment style and parenting style: the mediating role of mentalization and shame.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the mother's attachment style and parenting style and mother-infant bonding in the first pregnancy considering the mediating role of mentalization and shame. METHODS: This was a descriptive-correlational study. The sample population included the women who had gone through their first pregnancy and were referred to the health centers in Neyshabur, Iran in 2022. In total, 330 women were selected by convenience sampling. To collect data, we used a demographic questionnaire, the Attachment Style Questionnaire, the Parenting Style Questionnaire, the Mother-Infant Bonding Scale, the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire, and the Guilt and Shame Proneness Scale. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive indices, correlation coefficients, and pass analysis. RESULTS: Overall, the findings showed that the studied model adequately fits the data. Further, the obtained results confirmed the mediating role of mentalization and shame in the relationship between the mother's attachment style and parenting style and mother-infant bonding. A significant correlation was also observed between attachment styles, parenting styles, and mother-infant bonding (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Mother-infant bonding is correlated with the mother's attachment style/parenting style, shame, and mentalization. Thus, we can help vulnerable mothers by improving the quality of psychological care before the first pregnancy or during pregnancy.