Curiosity helps: Growth in need for cognition bidirectionally predicts future reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms across 10 years

Abstract

Introduction: Decreased motivational tendency to seek out, engage in, and enjoy investing in complex cognitive processes in a sustained manner (need for cognition; NFC) may be a predictor and consequence of heightened anxiety and depression symptoms (ADS).However, the majority of investigations on this topic have been cross-sectional, which hinders causal inferences. Methods: The current study thus determined the within-person relations between NFC and ADS by using random intercept cross-lagged panel model (RI-CLPM) and bivariate dual latent change score (BLCS) approaches to separate between-and within-person effects. RI-CLPM and BLCS also present with advantages of adjusting for regression to the mean, baseline scores, autoregressive and lagged effects, and minimizing measurement error. Community-dwelling adults (n = 6750) completed the Mental Health Inventory-5 and trait-level NFC scales approximately every one year across 10 years. Results: RI-CLPM showed that within persons, lower level of NFC predicted higher future level of ADS, and vice versa (d = -0.852 to -0.498). Likewise, BLCS demonstrated that within persons, smaller change in NFC forecasted larger subsequent increase in ADS, and conversely (d = -0.631 to -0.519). Findings remained after adjusting for socio-demographic covariates. Conclusion: Consistent with theories, findings suggested that the within-person level-to-future level and change-to-future change relations among NFC and ADS were bi-directional and negative, with moderate-to-large effect sizes. Targeting NFC may treat or prevent the emergence of depression and anxiety disorders. Such efforts may include augmenting or personalizing evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapeutic strategies for individuals with or at-risk for heightened ADS.

Sensitivity to intrinsic rewards is domain general and related to mental health

“…Although it is less clear why people would be more curious about others who agree with them than others than disagree with them, people who are more responsive to intrinsically rewarding stimuli may be more curious. Curiosity in turn is associated with mental health 73 .…”

Inconclusive effects between executive functions and symptoms of psychiatric disorders in random-intercept cross-lagged panel models: A simulated reanalysis and comment on Halse et al. (2022)

“…Without this combination of expected effects, observed effects would appear to be spurious and conclusions of causality premature. We Sorjonen, Nilsonne, et al, 2024; have previously used this type of triangulation and challenged conclusions in studies using RI-CLPM and claiming effects of need of cognition on anxiety and depression symptoms (Zainal & Newman, 2022), of income on self-esteem (Bleidorn et al, 2023), of curiosity on creativity and vice versa (Ma & Wei, 2023), and of self-esteem on eating pathology and vice versa (Beckers et al, 2023). We recommend researchers to use similar triangulations to scrutinize findings from analyses of observational data.…”

The development and evaluation of the worker-occupation fit inventory

“…Regarding perfectionism, a study conducted among athletes demonstrated that both self-oriented and socially prescribed performance perfectionism were correlated with burnout [ 25 ]. Curiosity has been identified as a protective factor against anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation in several studies [ 26 , 27 ]. Additionally, research has linked decision-making [ 28 ], innovation [ 29 ] and leadership [ 30 ] to the development of various job-related mental disorders.…”