Episodic repetitive thought: dimensions, correlates, and consequences

Abstract

Repetitive thought (RT) – attentive, prolonged, or frequent thought about oneself and one’s world – plays an important role in many models of psychological and physical ill health (e.g., rumination and worry), as well as models of recovery and well-being (e.g., processing and reminiscing). In these models, repetitive thought is typically treated as stable or trait-like. In contrast, episodic RT reflects what people have “on their minds” at a particular point in time. In four studies, young women (N = 94), college students (N = 166), first-year law students (N = 73), and older adults (N = 174) described their episodic RT, which was then rated for qualities including valence, purpose, and theme. Episodic RT valence was associated with mood and depressive symptoms both between (Studies 1–4) and within people (Studies 3–4), and it mediated the effects of dispositional coping through emotional approach (Study 1). The effect of episodic RT valence in turn was moderated by other properties of episodic RT, including purpose, “trait” valence, and theme (Studies 1–4). The study of episodic RT complements that of trait RT and allows for observations of how RT and psychological adjustment change in concert and in context, as well as examining the RT qualities that are not reflected in trait measures affecting adjustment.

Age differences in rumination and autobiographical retrieval

“…A few studies suggest that this cognitive strategy may play a role in the well-being of older adults. Rumination appears to play an important role in how older adults manage and maintain their well-being (Segerstrom, Roach, Evans, Schipper, & Darville, 2010;Segerstrom et al, 2012). In fact, rumination may be used with therapeutic purposes in older adults (Ekkers et al, 2011).…”

Repetitive thought dimensions, psychological well-being, and perceived growth in older adults: a multilevel, prospective study

“…Although RT dimensions were quite stable over 2½ years, they were not perfectly stable. The qualities of episodic RT (i.e., what people are repetitively thinking about at any given point in time) can fluctuate over time (Roach et al, 2010; Segerstrom et al, 2012). These fluctuations in turn associate with fluctuations in negative mood (Segerstrom et al, 2012).…”

“…The qualities of episodic RT (i.e., what people are repetitively thinking about at any given point in time) can fluctuate over time (Roach et al, 2010; Segerstrom et al, 2012). These fluctuations in turn associate with fluctuations in negative mood (Segerstrom et al, 2012). Future research could assess how these fluctuations affect the sense of PWB and perceived growth, and vice versa, in longitudinal naturalistic or (quasi-)experimental designs.…”

“…The majority of the sample was white (96%) and the remainder, African-American (4%). Because the parent study (see Eisenlohr-Moul & Segerstrom, 2013; Segerstrom, in press; Segerstrom et al, 2010, 2012; Segerstrom, Hardy, Evans, & Greenberg, 2012) also involved measurement of immune parameters, exclusion criteria at enrollment included diseases or disorders affecting the immune system, chemotherapy or radiation treatment within the past 5 years, unwillingness to undergo vaccination or venipuncture, immunomodulatory medications including opiates and steroids, and more than two of the following classes of medications: psychotropics, antihypertensives, hormone replacement, or thyroid supplements. Additional descriptive statistics with regard to the measures described below are found in the Supplemental Material.…”

Briefly Assessing Repetitive Thought Dimensions

“…Purpose contrasts searching, questioning, and uncertainty (e.g., reflection, self-analysis) against solving, certainty, and certainty-seeking (e.g., worry, planning). These valence and purpose dimensions, as well as an RT total score, emerge from batteries of structured RT questionnaires as well as evaluations of unstructured RT descriptions, in which respondents are asked to describe in a free-response format “what’s been ‘on your mind’, that is, you have thought about this topic frequently or for long periods of time” (Evans & Segerstrom, 2011; Segerstrom et al, 2003, 2010; Segerstrom, Stanton, Flynn, Roach, Testa, & Hardy, 2012). …”