title: Executive function moderates the relation between coping and depressive symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Identifying risk factors early in the course of depression has important implications for prevention, given that the likelihood of recurrence increases with each successive episode.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study examined relations among coping, executive functioning, and depressive symptom trajectories in a sample of remitted-depressed (n = 32) and never-depressed (ND; n = 36) young adults (aged 18-31).
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed a clinical interview, a measure of coping, and tasks assessing two components of executive function - inhibition and cognitive flexibility. Participants were reassessed regarding the timing and severity of depressive symptoms that had occurred during the interval period (mean = 35.16 weeks, SD = 9.03).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among ND individuals, less primary control coping (e.g., problem-solving) and greater disengagement coping (e.g., avoidance) predicted increases in depressive symptoms. Greater secondary control coping (e.g., acceptance) predicted decreases in depressive symptoms and was unrelated to depression history. Higher inhibition scores predicted less increase in depressive symptoms for individuals reporting less primary control coping or more disengagement coping. Higher cognitive flexibility scores predicted less increase in depressive symptoms among individuals reporting less secondary control coping.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interventions aiming to enhance either coping strategies or executive functions may reduce risk of depression recurrence.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Family and Community Medicine , Meharry Medical College , Nashville , TN , USA.
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: Lindsay D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Uma
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garber
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: coping; depression; executive function; stress