Stress generation and subsequent repetitive negative thinking link poor executive functioning and depression.

Background and objective: Poor executive functioning (EF) has been consistently linked to depression, but questions remain regarding mechanisms driving this association. The current study tested whether poor EF is linked to depression symptoms six weeks later via dependent stressors (model 1) and stressors perceived to be uncontrollable (model 2) at week two (W2) and repetitive negative thinking (RNT) at W4 during early COVID-19 in college students.

Design: This was a longitudinal study with four timepoints spanning six weeks (April-June 2020).

Methods: Participants (N = 154) completed online questionnaires measuring EF, dependent stress frequency, stress controllability appraisals, brooding rumination, worry, and depression.

Results: Supporting model 1, poorer baseline EF predicted higher dependent stress frequency at W2; W2 dependent stress frequency, in turn, predicted increases in W4 RNT, which predicted increases in W6 depression. Model 2 was not supported: Baseline EF did not predict W2 perceived stress uncontrollability, which did not predict W4 RNT; however, W4 RNT predicted increases in W6 depression.

Limitations: The sample was relatively small and EF was measured using only self-reports.

Conclusions: Findings supported a model in which poor EF conferred risk for depression via dependent stress and subsequent RNT, highlighting these processes as risk mechanisms for depression.