Moderating Executive Functions in the Relationship Between Anxiety and Depression Symptoms and Response to Drug Therapy

Background: Poor executive functions are potentially risky for psychopathology and can reduce response to treatment. This study aimed to investigate the moderating role of executive functions in the relationship between anxiety and depression symptoms and response to drug therapy. Methods: The correlation method was used in this study. The statistical population was adult outpatients with anxiety disorders and depression who referred to psychiatric clinics of Bojnourd city. One hundred and sixty-four participants completed the Outcome Questionnaire, Brief Symptom Inventory, and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function. Results: The findings showed that problems of executive functions and anxiety and depression symptoms predicted weak response to treatment (P<0.0001). The results of moderating regression analysis showed that problems of executive functions significantly moderate the relationship of anxiety symptoms and response to treatment (P<0.0001), while they do not significantly moderate the relationship between depression symptoms and response to treatment (P>0.05). The results further showed that a longer course of disease and the comorbidity of depression and anxiety reduce the response to treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion: Poor performance in executive functions, a longer course of disease, and the comorbidity of anxiety and depression disorders can reduce the response to treatment in patients.