Author(s)

Kaixin Zhong

Corresponding Author

Kaixin Zhong

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to explore the association between depressive interpretation bias and poorer social outcomes with the potential mediating effect of shame proneness. The Modified Ambiguous Scenarios Test, the short-form of the Test of Self-Conscious Affect-3, Social Network Index, the short-form of the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 were administered to 178 Chinese adults through online survey. Results indicated that the depressive interpretation bias was positively related to interpersonal difficulties and shame proneness, while shame proneness was positively associated with interpersonal difficulties, specifically loneliness. Moreover, depressive interpretation bias may enhance shame proneness, which was associated with externalizing behaviors which could be detrimental to interpersonal relationship, especially our subjective social connectedness.

KEYWORDS

Depressive interpretation bias, Social network, Shame proneness