How affective information impacts working memory and long-term memory in individuals with depressive tendencies?

Depressive tendencies are considered a subclinical condition associated with increased risk for developing major depressive disorder. Previous research has shown that depressed individuals exhibit mood-congruent effects on long-term memory. Moreover, studies have indicated that the maintenance of working memory plays a crucial role in the formation of long-term memory. However, the relationship between affective working memory and long-term memory remains unclear. This study examines the connection between affective working memory and long-term memory in individuals with depressive tendencies. Two experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 assessed immediate and delayed recall performance, with all participants completing both tasks. Building upon Experiment 1, Experiment 2 introduced systematic cognitive load manipulation (low vs. high), with participants randomly assigned to a low-load or high-load condition. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed the following findings: (1) Affective information significantly impaired working memory performance, with the impairment from negative words further disrupting long-term memory. (2) In the low cognitive load condition, individuals with depressive tendencies exhibited significantly poorer working memory performance for negative information compared to healthy controls, although this discrepancy did not extend to long-term memory. The results indicate that individuals with depressive tendencies exhibit deficits in working memory for negative information, whereas their performance in long-term memory does not differ from that of the healthy control group.