Cognitive Triad and Depression: A Meta‐Analysis of Cross‐Sectional and Longitudinal Studies

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Main Authors: Ziqin Huang, Yuchen Zhu, Lele Feng, Liechuan Cui, Zhan Wang, Zhongfang Fu, Xinfeng Tang
Format: Artículo Open Access
Published: Wiley 2026
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author Ziqin Huang
Yuchen Zhu
Lele Feng
Liechuan Cui
Zhan Wang
Zhongfang Fu
Xinfeng Tang
author_facet Ziqin Huang
Yuchen Zhu
Lele Feng
Liechuan Cui
Zhan Wang
Zhongfang Fu
Xinfeng Tang
Ziqin Huang
Yuchen Zhu
Lele Feng
Liechuan Cui
Zhan Wang
Zhongfang Fu
Xinfeng Tang
collection Wiley Open Access
contents Cognitive Triad and Depression: A Meta‐Analysis of Cross‐Sectional and Longitudinal Studies Ziqin Huang Yuchen Zhu Lele Feng Liechuan Cui Zhan Wang Zhongfang Fu Xinfeng Tang Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy ABSTRACT A large body of research has examined the association between the cognitive triad (negative views of the self, the world and the future) and depression; however, findings regarding its strength and direction remain inconsistent. The present meta‐analysis systematically synthesized existing empirical evidence to evaluate both cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations between the cognitive triad and depression. A three‐level random‐effects model was used to pool correlation coefficients ( r ) for cross‐sectional associations, and cross‐lagged regression models were applied to test prospective relations. Fifty‐nine cross‐sectional studies (132 effect sizes) were included, demonstrating a strong overall association between the cognitive triad and depressive symptoms ( r  = 0.596, 95% confidence interval, CI [0.546, 0.622]). Depressive symptoms were most strongly associated with a negative view of the self ( r  = 0.593), followed by a negative view of the world ( r  = 0.558) and the future ( r  = 0.538). Exploratory cross‐lagged analyses were conducted across eight longitudinal studies. Preliminary results suggested that depressive symptoms at Time 1 predicted more negative cognitive triad scores at Time 2 ( β  = 0.160, 95% CI [0.100, 0.220]). The prospective effect of the cognitive triad on later depressive symptoms appeared to be moderated by age group; this effect was significant among participants aged 15 years or older ( β  = 0.187, 95% CI [0.112, 0.261]) but not among those below 15 years ( β  = −0.035, 95% CI [−0.122, 0.051]). The findings indicate a strong association between the cognitive triad and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, exploratory longitudinal analyses provide preliminary evidence for a prospective effect of depressive symptoms on subsequent negative cognitions and suggest a potential developmental shift in cognitive vulnerability to depression from late adolescence into adulthood. 10.1002/cpp.70282 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor
doi_str_mv 10.1002/cpp.70282
format Artículo Open Access
id wiley_oa_10_1002_cpp_70282
institution Wiley Open Access
license_str_mv http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor
publishDate 2026
publisher Wiley
record_format wiley_oa
spellingShingle Cognitive Triad and Depression: A Meta‐Analysis of Cross‐Sectional and Longitudinal Studies
Ziqin Huang
Yuchen Zhu
Lele Feng
Liechuan Cui
Zhan Wang
Zhongfang Fu
Xinfeng Tang
Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
Cognitive Triad and Depression: A Meta‐Analysis of Cross‐Sectional and Longitudinal Studies Ziqin Huang Yuchen Zhu Lele Feng Liechuan Cui Zhan Wang Zhongfang Fu Xinfeng Tang Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy ABSTRACT A large body of research has examined the association between the cognitive triad (negative views of the self, the world and the future) and depression; however, findings regarding its strength and direction remain inconsistent. The present meta‐analysis systematically synthesized existing empirical evidence to evaluate both cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations between the cognitive triad and depression. A three‐level random‐effects model was used to pool correlation coefficients ( r ) for cross‐sectional associations, and cross‐lagged regression models were applied to test prospective relations. Fifty‐nine cross‐sectional studies (132 effect sizes) were included, demonstrating a strong overall association between the cognitive triad and depressive symptoms ( r  = 0.596, 95% confidence interval, CI [0.546, 0.622]). Depressive symptoms were most strongly associated with a negative view of the self ( r  = 0.593), followed by a negative view of the world ( r  = 0.558) and the future ( r  = 0.538). Exploratory cross‐lagged analyses were conducted across eight longitudinal studies. Preliminary results suggested that depressive symptoms at Time 1 predicted more negative cognitive triad scores at Time 2 ( β  = 0.160, 95% CI [0.100, 0.220]). The prospective effect of the cognitive triad on later depressive symptoms appeared to be moderated by age group; this effect was significant among participants aged 15 years or older ( β  = 0.187, 95% CI [0.112, 0.261]) but not among those below 15 years ( β  = −0.035, 95% CI [−0.122, 0.051]). The findings indicate a strong association between the cognitive triad and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, exploratory longitudinal analyses provide preliminary evidence for a prospective effect of depressive symptoms on subsequent negative cognitions and suggest a potential developmental shift in cognitive vulnerability to depression from late adolescence into adulthood. 10.1002/cpp.70282 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor
title Cognitive Triad and Depression: A Meta‐Analysis of Cross‐Sectional and Longitudinal Studies
topic Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy
url https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpp.70282