Mood-congruent negative thinking styles and cognitive vulnerability in depressed COVID-19 survivors: A comparison with major depressive disorder

•22.4% COVID survivors self-rated depression above the clinical threshold•Post-COVID depressed patients show intermediate levels of cognitive vulnerability.•Cognitive vulnerability features equally predicts depression COVID and MDD groups.•Processing bias sustains depression via self-reproach in depressed COVID and MDD.•Treatment options for post-COVID depression should target negative thinking styles.