Behavioral characteristics of subthreshold depression

Background: This study examines differences in behavioral characteristics among individuals who are not depressed and individuals with subthreshold depression, and depression.

Methods: We conducted structured interviews with 111 undergraduate students, who also completed self-report scales. The participants were divided into a non-depression group, a subthreshold depression group, and a depression group based on results of the structured interview and the BDI-II.

Results: There were significant differences in avoidance between depression group and other two groups. Also, for the environmental rewards, there were significant difference between the non-depressed group and the other two groups.

Limitations: The sample of depressed participants was small. The overall sample consisted only undergraduate students.

Conclusions: This study reported that there are different behavioral characteristics among non-depression, subthreshold depression, and depression groups. Whereas depression group is characterized by high frequency of avoidance and low environmental rewards, subthreshold depression group is characterized by only low environmental rewards.