Subthreshold depression is associated with altered facial expression and impression formation via subjective ratings and action unit analysis.

ABSTRACT: Depression is often linked to reduced facial expressivity and to biases in recognizing others' emotions. Whether subthreshold depression (StD)-a putative prodromal stage-shows comparable alterations remains unclear. We recorded 10‑second self‑introduction videos of Japanese undergraduates (ratees; n = 64) and obtained subjective impression ratings from a separate group (raters; n = 63). Both groups completed the Beck Depression Inventory‑II (BDI‑II). Raters' depressive tendency was not associated with their impression ratings (p > .10, Benjamini-Hochberg corrected). In contrast, ratees with StD (BDI‑II = 11-20) received significantly lower scores on positive items-expressive, natural, friendly, likeable-than healthy ratees (BDI‑II = 1-10; partial η² = 0.18-0.70). Automated analysis with Op

SUBMITTER: Sugimori E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12370896 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature