The Content-Specificity of Interpretation Biases Across Emotional Disorders and Stress: Online Cross-Cultural Study

PurposeThis research examined the content-specificity of interpretation bias across anxiety, depression and stress symptoms. Moreover, the role of cultural differences in the association between interpretation bias, affective symptoms, and stress experiences was investigated.MethodsA sample (N = 234) of Dutch and Chinese participants was recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which acted as a natural stressor. We assessed participants' interpretation biases specific to content of depressive mood, health threats, and COVID-19 concerns, alongside their symptoms of depression, anxiety, and health anxiety, and experiences of both general and pandemic-induced stress.ResultsThe findings demonstrated correlations among various interpretation biases, emotional disorder symptoms, and stress experiences. However, linear regression analyses revealed significant associations only between symptom and stress indices and those interpretation biases that shared the same cognitive content. Intriguingly, these relationships did not vary significantly by nationality.ConclusionThese results indicate both a general and a content-specific association between interpretation biases and various emotional disorder symptoms and stress experiences, with a pronounced emphasis on content-specificity. Furthermore, the study suggests a degree of cultural independence in the associations between interpretation biases, symptoms, and stress. These findings provide valuable insights into the manifestation of interpretation bias across different symptoms, stress experiences, and cultural contexts, enhancing our understanding of cognitive theories and their implications.