Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of overgeneral memory in the connection between depressogenic inferential styles and depressive symptoms. Additionally, the study aims to explore whether self functionings moderate the relationship between overgeneral memory and depressive symptoms, and to test the effect of moderated mediation. A total of 188 university students completed the Cognitive Style Questionnaire(CSQ) and the Korean version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised(K-CESD-R). From the 98 participants who agreed to take part, the the Autobiographical Memory Test(AMT) and the SCORS-G assessment, which utilized the Thematic Apperception Test(TAT), were used to measure the level of memory overgenerality and self functionings. The findings revealed a positive association between higher levels of depressogenic inferential styles and overgeneral memory, which in turn were associated with increased depressive symptoms. Moreover, it was found that self functionings moderated mediating effec, whereby the pathway linking depressogenic inferential styles to depressive symptoms through overgeneral was significant, except in the high self functionings condition. These results are noteworthy as they highlight the significance of self functionings in the relationship between overgeneral memory and depressive symptoms.