Social cognition in adolescent depression: Evolution of research content and future perspectives

Abstract

Social cognition constitutes a fundamental component in establishing and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships, achieving social goals, and effectively regulating emotions within social contexts. Inspired by a recent study examining the chain mediating roles of perceived social adversity and security in the relationship between impulsive personality and suicidal behaviors among depressed adolescents, this editorial synthesizes advances in social cognition research specific to adolescent depression. Research methodologies, theoretical frameworks, and neuroscientific insights in this domain have evolved substantially over the past fifteen years. Whereas earlier investigations primarily emphasized broad behavioral observations, contemporary research increasingly integrates neuroimaging techniques, computational modeling, and refined experimental paradigms. Current understanding of specific cognitive biases such as distinctions between interpretive and attentional biases has also grown more nuanced. This editorial reflects the evolving nature of the field by presenting shifts in research focus and demonstrating how these changes have deepened our understanding of social-cognitive functioning in adolescent depression. Building on this synthesis, we outline limitations of extant research and suggest promising directions for future inquiry.

Keywords: Adolescent depression; Cognitive bias; Emotion processing; Theory of mind; Social cognition

Core Tip: Empirical evidence accumulated over the past 15 years indicates that adolescent depression is associated with diverse social-cognitive impairments, which appear implicated in the etiology, progression, and maintenance of the disorder. Advancing longitudinal, cross-cultural comparative, and intervention research remains imperative. Elucidating neurobiological mechanisms, identifying protective factors, and strategically leveraging emerging technologies constitute critical pathways for developing more effective, individualized prevention and intervention approaches for depressed adolescents. Collectively, these advances promise to foster healthier socioemotional development and enhance overall well-being in this population.