From executive control to social emotions: mediation analysis of theory of mind linking executive functions to envy but not Schadenfreude

Complex social emotions such as envy and Schadenfreude require the integration of high-level cognitive processes, particularly Executive Functions (EFs) and Theory of Mind (ToM). However, little is known about how these factors differentially influence the intensity of these emotions. One hundred and three individuals were assessed using the Ineco Frontal Screening (IFS), the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), and the Social Emotion Task for envy and Schadenfreude. Correlation and mediation analyses were employed to examine the relationships among EFs, ToM, and the intensity of these emotions. EFs were significantly associated with both envy and Schadenfreude, as well as with ToM. In contrast, ToM was associated only with envy. Mediation analyses indicated that ToM mediated the relationship between EFs and envy, but not Schadenfreude. These findings suggest that envy and Schadenfreude might be supported by partially distinct cognitive mechanisms: envy seems to rely on cognitive and sociocognitive processes, whereas Schadenfreude is primarily linked to evaluative and reward-related processes. This highlights the presence of differential cognitive profiles underlying complex social emotions.