Self-referent upward counterfactuals and depression: Examining regret as a mediator

Collective harmony as a moderator of the association between other-referent upward counterfactual thinking and depression

“…The current study successfully replicated Broomhall and Phillips (2018) finding of a small but significant positive association between other-referent upward counterfactual thinking and depression in a sample of university-educated Philippine residents. This finding corresponds to past results indicating that other-blame attributions are positively associated with depression (e.g., Garnefski & Kraaij, 2006;Martin & Dahlen, 2005), and also lends support to the notion that blaming others is linked to greater emotional disturbance (e.g., Matheson & Anisman, 2003;Tennen & Affleck, 1990).…”

“…The Philippines, on the other hand, is mainly a collectivist society (Church, 1987;Church et al, 2012;Hofstede, 1980). In an initial finding, Broomhall and Phillips (2018) found that frequent generation of other-referent upward counterfactuals significantly predicted higher self-reported scores in a depression assessment in a sample of university-educated Philippine residents. Given the abovementioned theoretical predictions (Roese & Epstude, 2017;Rye et al, 2008), this finding was unexpected and suggests that other-referent upward counterfactual thinking may not serve as a protective factor against depression in this cultural population.…”

“…In general, collectivism per se has been often regarded as a possible explanation for differences in counterfactual thinking tendencies (e.g., Hur, Roese, & Namkoong, 2009;Markus & Kitayama, 1991;Zou et al, 2009) and depression (e.g., Brougham & Haar, 2013;Du, Li, Lin, & Tam, 2015). However, investigations into the role of the harmony domain of collectivism, specifically, on the link between other-referent upward counterfactual thinking and depression is under-researched (Broomhall & Phillips, 2018). Thus, an important aim of the study is to determine if collective harmony moderates the link between other-referent upward counterfactual thinking and depression.…”

“…Individuals engage in other-referent upward counterfactual thinking activity to deflect blame; hence, it has been postulated to play an important role in regulating negative affect (Roese & Epstude, 2017), including reducing depression symptoms (Rye et al, 2008). However, a recent study found a significant positive relationship between other-referent upward counterfactual thinking and depressive symptoms in a university-educated Filipino sample, suggesting the opposite effect (Broomhall & Phillips, 2018). This unexpected positive association may be culturally specific.…”

In limbo: A systematic review of psychological responses and coping among people with a missing loved one

“…For instance, it was identified that counterfactual thinking (i.e., contemplation of how the outcome of past events might have been different) was reported more often among those living with missingness when cause of the disappearance was unclear. Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques such as cognitive restructuring of maladaptive thought patterns have been suggested to have utility in mediating counterfactual thinking (Broomhall & Phillips, ; Fleming & Robinson, ). As such, cognitive restructuring of counterfactual thoughts related to the loss may be of benefit to people experiencing the disappearance of a loved one due to unclear circumstances and whom might be presenting with proneness to maladaptive counterfactual thinking.…”