Interpretation biases in child and youth depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Cognitive theories posit that interpretation biases (IBs), the tendency to interpret emotionally ambiguous information negatively, contribute to the development and maintenance of depression. While adult meta-analyses report a moderate association between IBs and depression, evidence in populations under 18 remains inconsistent. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to (1) estimate the first overall cross-sectional effect size between IBs and child and youth depression and to summarize (2) longitudinal and (3) experimental findings from randomized controlled studies. Eligible studies included healthy and depressed participants (including comorbid conditions) younger than 18, assessed depression and IBs, and were published in English with full-text availability. A literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycInfo and ProQuest Dissertations in March 2025 identified 30 eligible studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB2 tool for randomized studies and an adapted Downs and Black checklist for non-randomized studies. Overall study quality was acceptable, albeit with variability (M = 67.75%, SD = 12.1). A random-effects meta-analysis of 22 cross-sectional effect sizes (N = 4763) yielded a moderate overall correlation (r = .34, 95%-CI = [.27; .42], p < .001), similar to adult findings when accounting for methodological differences. Limited longitudinal (4 studies, N = 616) and experimental evidence (3 studies, N = 239) highlight the need for further research. Included studies only examined participants aged above 7 with largely low depressive symptoms, limiting generalizability. Future research should therefore examine younger and more severely depressed populations and employ validated measures of IBs in children to better characterize developmental trajectories. Prospero Registration: ID CRD420250655580.