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RUMINATION AS A PROCESS THROUGH WHICH COGNITIVE VULNERABILITIES ARE RELATED TO NEGATIVE AFFECT ON BOTH THE TRAIT- AND STATE-LEVEL
Title
RUMINATION AS A PROCESS THROUGH WHICH COGNITIVE VULNERABILITIES ARE RELATED TO NEGATIVE AFFECT ON BOTH THE TRAIT- AND STATE-LEVEL
Creator
Hutman, Paul J.
Date
2017, 2017-07
Description
The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it reviewed the empirical and theoretical literature on rumination as well as three cognitive...
Show moreThe purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it reviewed the empirical and theoretical literature on rumination as well as three cognitive vulnerabilities (intolerance of uncertainty, positive meta-cognitive beliefs about rumination, and thought suppression) associated with negative emotionality. Second, this paper tested trait- and state-level hypotheses that posit (a) rumination is a mediator that connects the three cognitive vulnerabilities to general negative affect and (b) each cognitive vulnerability has a unique relationship to rumination. Rumination is a transdiagnostic and passive, repetitive thought process known to incite and perpetuate a number of negative emotional states and hinder instrumental behavior (e.g., treatment adherence and social support). Although mainly studied as a trait-like tendency, research studying the act of ruminating found it to be a ubiquitous process, experienced as self-focused, unpleasant, and uncontrollable. Ruminating has a number of precipitants (cognitive avoidance, experiencing acute stress, and receiving negative feedback), occurs more often in those experiencing depression, and is associated with inciting or exacerbating negative emotional states (regardless of one’s diagnostic status). To test hypotheses, data was gathered from 77 adults, half reporting a mental health diagnosis, who reported on the intensity with which they experience the cognitive vulnerabilities, rumination, and negative affect on both the trait- and state-level. Findings support rumination as a process through which cognitive vulnerabilities are connected to negative emotionality. Findings indicate all cognitive vulnerabilities were uniquely predictive of rumination when measured as a trait, but only thought suppression uniquely predicted the act of ruminating. Emphasis was placed on discussion of the theoretical and clinical implications of these findings and potential directions for future research.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2017
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