A mediational model of trait negative affectivity, dispositional thought suppression, and intrusive thoughts following laboratory stressors

2007 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 749-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Lynch ◽  
Kristin G. Schneider ◽  
M. Zachary Rosenthal ◽  
Jennifer S. Cheavens
Keyword(s):  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Negative Affectivity ◽  
Intrusive Thoughts ◽  
Mediational Model

The White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI) focuses on failing suppression attempts

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Rassin
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Large Study ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Intrusive Thoughts ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Unwanted Thoughts

Experimental studies have produced evidence to suggest that suppressing unwanted thoughts paradoxically results in even more unwanted thoughts. Therefore, suppression is considered to be an inadequate control strategy. Wegner and Zanakos (1994; Journal of Personality, 62, 615–640) introduced the White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI) as a measure to identify people who chronically tend to suppress unwanted thoughts. However, recent studies suggest that the WBSI does not exclusively measure thought suppression, but also addresses the experience of intrusive thoughts. Hence, the WBSI does not seem to measure suppression per se, but rather failing suppression. Three studies elaborate on this idea. In study 1, factor analysis of 674 non‐clinical WBSI scores is found to support the hypothesis that the WBSI addresses both suppression and intrusion. By and large, study 2 replicates these findings in a clinical sample (N=106). In study 3, an alternative suppression questionnaire is introduced, focusing on suppression and intrusions, but also on successful suppression. It is concluded that the WBSI, and thought suppression research in general, is biased toward failing suppression attempts, and has ignored the possibility of successful suppression. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Intrusive Thoughts in Depression

2002 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard M. Wenzlaff
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Intrusive Thoughts ◽  
Mental Control ◽  
Unwanted Thoughts

This article traces the origins of intrusive thoughts in depression, devoting special attention to how misguided attempts to gain mental control can ironically fuel unwanted thoughts. A review of the research highlights the ways in which cognitive biases, stress, and thought suppression can contribute to the development and maintenance of depression. The article concludes with a consideration of the implications for treatment.

Perceived Control and Appraisal of Obsessional Intrusive Thoughts: A Replication and Extension

1994 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Purdon ◽  
David A. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Control ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Personal Responsibility ◽  
Intrusive Thoughts ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Penn State Worry Questionnaire ◽  
Penn State ◽  
State Worry ◽  
And Control

The present study had two purposes: 1) to examine the relationship between tendency to experience obsessional intrusive thoughts and tendency to worry; 2) to replicate and extend earlier findings (Purdon and Clark, 1993, 1994) on appraisal and thought suppression strategies in the persistence and control of obsessional intrusive thoughts. A sample of 160 college students were administered the Revised Obsessional Intrusions Inventory (ROII), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI). The ROII total score had minimal association with worry, trait thought suppression, or depressive symptoms, thereby supporting the distinctiveness of obsessional intrusive thoughts. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that cognitive appraisal, especially worries that the intrusion might come true in real life, accounted for a significant amount of variance in thought frequency and controllability. Thought suppression strategies accounted for substantially less variance in both frequency and control of intrusive thoughts. The results are discussed in terms of their support for Rachman's (1993) and Salkovskis' (1985, 1989) theories regarding the role of personal responsibility in the persistence of obsession-like intrusive thoughts.

scholarly journals Maladaptive Beliefs and Suppression of Negative Autobiographical Memories

2007 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
James C. Broadbent ◽  
Reginald D.V. Nixon
Keyword(s):  
Phase I ◽  
Individual Difference ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Rebound Effect ◽  
Intrusive Thoughts ◽  
Autobiographical Memories ◽  
Maladaptive Beliefs

AbstractThis study sought to investigate whether an individual difference in beliefs regarding the importance of controlling intrusive thoughts influenced the effect of suppressing negative autobiographical memories. In Phase I of the study, 165 undergraduate students completed the control-subscale of the Interpretations of Intrusions Inventory (III-31). Students with scores in the top (strong beliefs) and bottom (weak beliefs) 30% of the III-31 were selected to participate in Phase II. In Phase II an equal number of students with these ‘strong’ and ‘weak’ beliefs (N = 60) were randomised to either a thought suppression or control condition. As expected, instructions to suppress resulted in a rebound effect; however, contrary to predictions, differences in beliefs regarding the importance of controlling intrusive thoughts did not influence thought suppression ability. The implications of the findings for understanding the influence of metacognition on thought suppression are discussed.

INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS, RESPONSIBILITY ATTITUDES, THOUGHT-ACTION FUSION, AND CHRONIC THOUGHT SUPPRESSION IN RELATION TO OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE SYMPTOMS

2001 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakob Smári ◽  
Hólmsteinn Eidur Hólmsteinsson
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Thought Suppression ◽  
Intrusive Thoughts ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive ◽  
Cognitive Constructs ◽  
Main Hypothesis ◽  
Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms ◽  
Thought Action Fusion

Relationships between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and several cognitive constructs that are theoretically related to such symptoms were investigated among university students. A total of 211 subjects filled in a measure of the frequency of intrusive thoughts based on Clark and de Silva (1985), Salkovskis' Responsibility Attitudes Scale (RAS) (Salkovskis et al., 2000), the Thought-Action Fusion Scale (TAF) (Shafran, Thordarson, & Rachman, 1996), Wegner and Zanakos' (1994) White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI), and the Maudsley Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) (Hodgson & Rachman, 1977). The main hypothesis addressed was that in accordance with Salkovskis' model (1996) responsibility and thought suppression serve as mediators between intrusive thoughts and obsessive-compulsive symptoms as measured with the MOCI. The results were consistent with the model.

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