Objective:To investigate whether facial expression recognition correct rates were changed in stable patients with major depressive disorder.Methods:A cross-sectional study was performed in patients with major depressive disorder (n=80) (according to the DSM-IV) and matched normal controls by age, gender and education year (n=41) in this study.All subjects would recognize five different expression (anger, contempt, fear, happiness and sadness).These emotions were displayed on four different male and female computerized cartoon faces, and each expression was shown once in a static format and once in a dynamic format.The facial expression recognition correct percentage would be compared between the two groups.Results:The correct identification rate of contempt was lower in the patients than in the normal controls (93％ vs.94％, P＜0.05).The correct identification rate of dynamic contempt was lower in the patients than in the normal controls (93％ vs.95％, P＜0.05).The correct identification rate of fear was lower in the patients than in the normal controls (89％ vs.93％, P＜0.05).The correct identification rate of dynamic fear was lower in the patients than in the normal controls (90％ vs.94％, P＜0.05).Regarding error rates of misattribution, compared with normal controls, depressive patients over-identified fear to anger (3.7％vs.1.8％) and contempt (2.9％vs.0.9％), sadness to contempt (5.0％ vs.1.7％) and happiness (2.0％ vs.0.2％) (Ps＜0.05).Conclusion:Patients with MDD have significantly great difficulties identifying negative expressions.

Objective:To investigate the natural course and psychosocial risk factors of depressive symptoms in college freshmen.Methods:Changes in depressive symptoms among college freshmen were observed for two year periods,self-reporting questionnaires were used to collect data every half yearly.The depressive symptoms were assessed with the Centre for Epidemiological Study-Depression Scale,and psychosocial factors were tested as the potential risk factors,rating by Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale,Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Neuroticism Subscale,Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale,Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale,Parental Rearing Scale,Adolescents Self-Rating Life Events Checklist,Epworth Sleepiness Scale,daytime sleep time,Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire.Generalized estimating equations model was used to analyze the date.Results:Totally 1339 college students were recruited in the survey.It was found the depressive scores significantly increased in the second and third surveys,then decreased in the fourth and fifth surveys.Male (Coef=-1.01,SE =0.42,P =0.017),not interested in the major (Coef=3.89,SE =1.42,P =0.006),neuroticism(Coef =0.79,SE =0.23,P =0.001),self-esteem(Coef =-1.57,SE =0.25,P ＜ 0.001),anxiety(Coef =4.79,SE =0.16,P ＜ 0.001),life events (Coef =0.08,SE =0.01,P ＜ 0.00l),daytime sleepiness (Coef =0.80,SE =4.56,P ＜ 0.001) were significantly correlated with depressive symptoms.Conclusion:The first year of college is a critical time in the prevention depression.Not interested in the major,high neuroticism,low self-esteem,anxiety,life events,daytime sleepiness may be risk factors of depressive symptom in college students.