Working memory function in high depressive symptoms and non-depressed female students

Abstract

Introduction: The main aim of this study was to investigate the working memory capacity in high depressive symptoms and non-depressed female students. Method: By using screening sampling method, 41 students with high depressive symptoms in Tarbait-e-Moallem University were selected. 41 non-depressed students were selected as control group, randomly. The instruments were Beck depression inventory (BDI) and clinical interview and working memory index (WMI). It was utilized the MANOVA for analyzing the data. Results: Depression was negatively related to working memory capacity. Students with high depressive symptoms and non-depressed group were significantly different in all working memory subscales. Conclusion: Slow response and sensitivity to task complexity are the main problems of depressed student in working memory tasks.