The Mediating Role of Cognitive Bias in Explaining the Correlation Between Behavioral Activation system and Behavioral Inhibition System with Depression

Introduction: Depression is one of the most common mental disorders. Exploring the vulnerabilities of this disorder and how these factors relate to each other remains a major issue in mental health. The aim of this study was to determine the mediating role of cognitive bias in explaining the correlation between behavioral activation system and behavioral inhibition with depression.   Methods: The present research method is descriptive-correlational. The statistical population of the study included students of Islamic Azad University of Ahvaz in the academic year of 2017. Among them, 200 people were selected by purposive sampling method. Data collection was done through “Dysfunctional Attitude Scale” (DAS-26), “Behavioral Inhibition / Behavioral Activation Scales” (BIS / BAS) and “Beck Depression Inventory” (BDI-13). The content validity ratio and reliability was calculated by calculating Cronbachchr('39')s alpha coefficient. For the analysis, SPSS. 21 and LISREL software were used.   Results: The evaluation of the structural model using statistical indicators showed that behavioral inhibition had a significant correlation on depression (β=0/46, P <0.01). Direct effect of behavioral activation system on major depressive disorder beta coefficient β=-0.55 and the direct effect of cognitive bias on major depressive disorder beta coefficient β=0.42, none of which are significant (p <0.01). So it can be claimed that the hypothetical model can have better relationships than the competing model. Explain among research variables. Conclusions: Cognitive bias is an intermediate variable in relation to behavioral activation and behavioral inhibition with depression, and by controlling this variable, the role of behavioral activation and behavioral inhibition on depressive symptoms can be controlled. It is recommended that psychotherapists be better treated during psychotherapy by changing the way information is processed.