(PS3-31) Separating “brain” from “disorder”: An Experimental Study Examining the Impact of Viewing a Biological Cause of Depression as Functional or Dysfunctional

Biological accounts of emotional disorders, including depression, have gained increased popularity in recent decades and often frame depression as due to biological factors such as a chemical imbalance or a brain dysfunction. Growing evidence demonstrates that biological explanations for depression lead to increased stigma, prognostic pessimism, and less adaptive beliefs about depression (Schroder et al., 2023). The current study examined the impact of how a biological cause of depression is framed; specifically, is the biological cause a sign of dysfunction or a functional signal? All individuals (n=276) read the same case study of an individual named “Alex” who seeks treatment for depression from a clinician who tells Alex that her amygdala is overactive. Participants were then randomly assigned to read that the overactive amygdala means either 1) that it is not working the way that it should or 2) that the amygdala is doing its job. After receiving their assigned description, all participants completed post-manipulation measures assessing their beliefs about treatment, prognosis, and stigma. As expected, participants who received the message that Alex’s biology was providing a functional signal reported that Alex had more control (t[275]= -2.97, p=.003) and responsibility over her depression (t[275]= -2.83, p=.005) and had a greater chance at recovery from depression (t[275]= -2.30, p=.022). In addition, compared to those in the dysfunction condition, those who received the functional signal message were more likely to report that Alex would have a less chronic course of depression (t[275]= 5.54, p< .001) and she was less likely to need long-term treatment (t[275]= 5.33, p< .001). Participants in the functional signal condition also reported that Alex would benefit more from psychotherapy (t[275]= -2.18, p=.030). Results increased understanding of the emotional and cognitive ramifications of how depression is explained. In addition, potential results could inform how clinicians describe clinical conditions, such as depression, to patients and the general public.