Cognitive and emotional apathy in adults with sub clinical depression and clinical depression: A comparative study

Subclinical depression, characterized by depressive symptoms that do not meet full diagnostic criteria, is prevalent in the adult population and can significantly impact daily functioning. This study aims to examine the presence and extent of apathy in individuals with subclinical depression.

The present study is a cross-sectional study with a total of 120 samples, (40 samples in each group) ranging in age from 18 to 60 years. Group A – Healthy Controls and Group B – Subclinical Depression and Group-C-Clinical Depression). The tools used include the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Apathy Evaluation Scale (Self-rated Scale) to examine cognitive and emotional apathy in adults with subclinical and clinical depression. The duration of the study was 6 months. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done and interpreted.

Sociodemographic variables, including age, gender, education, and occupation, were comparable across the three groups with no significant differences. Depression severity scores showed a progressive increase from healthy controls to subclinical and clinical depression, with statistically significant group differences. Apathy scores also differed significantly, with higher levels observed in subclinical and clinical groups compared to controls.

The findings underscore the importance of addressing apathy in clinical settings in cases of subclinical depression. This leads to a greater need for therapeutic intervention targeting apathy and depressive symptoms to prevent progression from subclinical to clinical depression.