Impact of interpretation bias on depression in ambiguous situations: A panel survey with a three-month interval

The negative interpretation of ambiguous situations is understood as interpretation bias, which is a core factor that causes and prolongs depression. However, not many studies have examined the causal influence of interpretation bias on depression. Accordingly, we developed the Japanese version of AST-D-II in which ambiguous scenarios are employed to measure interpretation bias related to depression. A survey was conducted among 247 participants at two time points, with a three-month interval (Time 1 and Time 2). Subsequently, the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of AST-D-II were verified. Thereafter, the depression and AST-D-II scores at both time points were put into structural equation modeling and the cross-lagged panel model was examined. Although the Japanese version of AST-D-Ⅱ had a different factor structure to that found in previous studies, it is a useful scale to measure interpretation bias in Japanese people. In addition, the cross-lagged panel model revealed that interpretation bias is not only related to current depression, but interpretation bias at Time 1 has an impact on depression at Time 2. Therefore, one may deduce that interpretation bias has a long-term impact on depression, thus indicating that interventions on interpretation bias are important in the prevention of depression.