Mind reading and mindfulness deficits in patients with major depression disorder

Theory of Mind is a social cognitive ability of brain, and Mindfulness is comprised of the abilities to self-regulate and guide attention to task. In order to compare mindfulness and mind reading abilities in major depressed and healthy matched subjects, 45 major depressed patients were compared with 50 healthy subjects. Participants completed Baron-Cohen's Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. Findings show that mind reading and mindfulness in depressed individuals are significantly lower than in healthy individuals. The results demonstrate that mindfulness and mind reading can be regarded as predictors of social cognitive function in individuals with depression.