Comparison of trait and state mind wandering among schizotypal, subclinically depressed, and control individuals

Ya Wang; Tao Chen; Ji-Fang Cui; Jia-Li Liu; Tian-Hong Li; Tian-Jiao Du

doi:10.1186/s12888-024-05871-4

Comparison of trait and state mind wandering among schizotypal, subclinically depressed, and control individuals

BMC Psychiatry. 2024 Jun 5;24(1):422. doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-05871-4.

Authors

Ya Wang¹, Tao Chen^{2

3}, Ji-Fang Cui⁴, Jia-Li Liu^{5

6}, Tian-Hong Li⁷, Tian-Jiao Du⁸

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, Baiduizi 23A, Haidian District, Beijing, 100073, China. wangya@cnu.edu.cn.
² Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
³ School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁴ Institute of Educational Information and Statistics, National Academy of Educational Sciences, Beijing, China.
⁵ Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Healthy, Institute of Psychology, Beijing, China.
⁶ Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
⁷ Department of Psychology, School of Medical Humanities, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China. lith@cmu.edu.cn.
⁸ Department of Psychology, School of Medical Humanities, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China. tjdu@cmu.edu.cn.

Abstract

Background: Mind wandering is a common phenomenon in daily life. However, the manifestations and cognitive correlates of mind wandering in different subclinical populations remain unclear. In this study, these aspects were examined in individuals with schizotypal traits and individuals with depressive symptoms, i.e., subclinical populations of patients with schizophrenia and depression.

Methods: Forty-two individuals with schizotypal traits, 42 individuals with subclinical depression, and 42 controls were recruited to complete a mind wandering thought sampling task (state level) and a mind wandering questionnaire (trait level). Measures of rumination and cognitive functions (attention, inhibition, and working memory) were also completed by participants.

Results: Both subclinical groups exhibited more state and trait mind wandering than did the control group. Furthermore, individuals with schizotypal traits demonstrated more trait mind wandering than individuals with subclinical depression. Rumination, sustained attention, and working memory were associated with mind wandering. In addition, mind wandering in individuals with subclinical depression can be accounted for by rumination or attention, while mind wandering in individuals with high schizotypal traits cannot be accounted for by rumination, attention, or working memory.

Conclusions: The results suggest that individuals with high schizotypal traits and subclinical depression have different patterns of mind wandering and mechanisms. These findings have implications for understanding the unique profile of mind wandering in subclinical individuals.

Keywords: Daily life; Depressed; Laboratory; Mind wandering; Schizotypal.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Attention* / physiology
Depression* / psychology
Female
Humans
Male
Memory, Short-Term* / physiology
Rumination, Cognitive / physiology
Schizotypal Personality Disorder* / physiopathology
Schizotypal Personality Disorder* / psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Thinking / physiology
Young Adult

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding