Neuropsychological correlates of community function among major depressive disorder outpatients without comorbidity in Hong Kong: An exploratory cross-Sectional study

Introduction: This exploratory cross-sectional study examined the effect of depression on neuropsychological and community function among major depressive disorder (MDD) outpatients without comorbidity in comparison with healthy controls (HCs). Methods: Sixty-nine participants (23 for each group) pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Daniel Kwasi Ahorsu, Ken Chung, Ho Hon Wong, Michael Gar Chung Yiu, Yat Fung Mok, Ka Shun Lei, Hector W. H. Tsang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
Series:Asian Journal of Social Health and Behavior
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.healthandbehavior.com/article.asp?issn=2772-4204;year=2021;volume=4;issue=1;spage=8;epage=14;aulast=Ahorsu
Description
Summary:Introduction: This exploratory cross-sectional study examined the effect of depression on neuropsychological and community function among major depressive disorder (MDD) outpatients without comorbidity in comparison with healthy controls (HCs). Methods: Sixty-nine participants (23 for each group) participated in the study. They were assessed on psychological, neuropsychological function, and community function skills. Results: The results revealed that first episode MDD and recurrent episodes MDD outpatients still have a significantly higher level of depression, impaired mental state, and executive function and worse community function compared with HCs. Intervariable relationships analysis revealed qualitative differences between the three groups. Conclusion: The study provides preliminary evidence that MDD outpatients may need more targeted cognitive and psychosocial interventions to improve their executive and community function skills. Larger-scale studies to increase the validity and generalizability of the pilot data are suggested.
ISSN:2772-4204
2772-4204