scholarly journals An experimental test of the habit-goal framework: Depressive rumination is associated with heightened habitual characteristics of negative thinking but not habit-directed behavior control

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 204380872097716
Author(s):  
Kristján Helgi Hjartarson ◽  
Ivar Snorrason ◽  
Ágústa Friðriksdóttir ◽  
Brynja B. Þórsdóttir ◽  
Nína B. Arnarsdóttir ◽  
...  

Habitual thinking may underpin a heightened disposition to engage in rumination in response to negative mood, a widely held notion that has rarely been directly tested. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether rumination is associated with habitual attributes and whether it is related to an imbalance in habit relative to goal-directed behavior control. University students (N=115) completed self-report questionnaires, a rumination induction paradigm and an outcome devaluation task that measures habitual vs goal-directed behavior control. Greater habitual characteristics of negative thinking (e.g., automaticity, lack of conscious awareness, control, and intent) were associated with ruminative brooding but not ruminative reflection and predicted more persistent dysphoric mood following rumination induction. Rumination was not, however, consistently associated with an imbalance in habit versus goal-directed behavior control. These findings indicate that depression vulnerability may be in the form of rumination being habitually triggered (without awareness or intent) with deleterious effects on mood. Although habitual, rumination may not be related to an imbalance in habit relative to goal-directed behavior control. These findings provide support for current theoretical accounts of rumination and set important boundary conditions in the search for specific factors that contribute to rumination as a habit.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristján Helgi Hjartarson ◽  
Ivar Snorrason ◽  
Laura Francina Bringmann ◽  
Ragnar P. Ólafsson

Depressive rumination has been conceptualized as a mental habit that is initiated automatically without conscious awareness, intent or control in response to negative mood. However, it is unknown whether depression vulnerability is characterized by elevated levels of mood-reactive rumination at the level of short-term dynamics. Using mobile ecological momentary assessment, formerly depressed individuals with a recurrent history of depression (n = 94) and non-clinical controls (n = 55) recorded in-the-moment affect and rumination ten times daily over six days, after completing measures of trait ruminative brooding, early-life stress, and habitual characteristics of negative thinking (e.g., automaticity, lack of conscious awareness, intent, and control). Momentary fluctuations in negative affect were prospectively associated with greater rumination at the next sampling occasion in formerly depressed participants whereas this pattern was not observed in non-clinical controls. In formerly depressed participants, the degree of mood-reactivity was moderated by habitual characteristics of negative thinking, which interacted with a history of early-life stress in predicting greater mood-reactive rumination. It was not, however, associated with depression course nor with the frequency of trait ruminative brooding. Mood-reactive rumination may be a vulnerability marker for depression, triggered in response to negative affect with a high degree of automaticity, making it difficult to control. It might constitute a risk independent of the depressive course and originate in early-life stress. Future studies may need to go beyond frequency and target the mood-reactivity and automaticity of ruminative thinking to reduce depression vulnerability


Author(s):  
Kayla N LaRosa ◽  
Erin MacArthur ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Haitao Pan ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Secondary outcomes from a published feasibility and acceptability trial were examined to explore the effect of bright white light (BWL) on quality of life (QoL) and depressive symptoms compared to dim red light (DRL) control in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) receiving cancer-directed therapy. Methods Fifty-one AYAs (12–22 years, 51% male) newly diagnosed with cancer were randomized to receive 8 weeks of BWL (n = 26) or DRL (n = 25). The CDI-2 (total score, negative mood/physical symptoms, interpersonal problems, ineffectiveness, and negative self-esteem) and parent- and self-report PedsQL (total score and subscales of physical, emotional, social, and school QoL) were completed at multiple timepoints. Results BWL produced improvements in self-reported total depression (d = −.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −1.26, −0.01), negative self-esteem (d = −.80; 95% CI = −1.43, −.14), negative mood/physical symptoms (d = −.73; 95% CI = −1.36, −0.08), ineffectiveness (d = −.43; 95% CI = −1.04, .19), total self-reported QoL (d = .41; 95% CI = −.16, .96), emotional (d = .78; 95% CI = .19, 1.37), school functioning (d = .48; 95% CI = −.09, 1.04), and parent-reported school functioning (d = .66; 95% CI = 0.02, 1.33). BWL reported a greater rate of improvement than DRL for total depression (β = .49, p < .05) and self-esteem (β = .44, p < .05), and parent-reported school functioning (β = −1.68, p < .05). Conclusions BWL improved QoL and depressive symptoms for AYAs with cancer. These findings will inform larger randomized controlled trials.


2021 ◽  
pp. 216770262110380
Author(s):  
Elizabeth C. Wade ◽  
Rivka T. Cohen ◽  
Paddy Loftus ◽  
Ayelet Meron Ruscio

Perseverative thinking (PT), or repetitive negative thinking, has historically been measured using global self-report scales. New methods of assessment are needed to advance understanding of this inherently temporal process. We developed an intensive longitudinal method for assessing PT. A mixed sample of 77 individuals ranging widely in trait PT, including persons with PT-related disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, major depression) and persons without psychopathology, used a joystick to provide continuous ratings of thought valence and intensity following exposure to scenarios of differing valence. Joystick responses were robustly predicted by trait PT, clinical status, and stimulus valence. Higher trait perseverators exhibited more extreme joystick values overall, greater stability in values following threatening and ambiguous stimuli, weaker stability in values following positive stimuli, and greater inertia in values following ambiguous stimuli. The joystick method is a promising measure with the potential to shed new light on the dynamics and precipitants of perseverative thinking.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Levente Rónai ◽  
Bertalan Polner

Background: Temporal patterns of affective functioning such as emotional inertia and instability may indicate changes in emotion regulation that predict depression. However, affect dynamics’ incremental validity over affect intensity and exposure to stressors in predicting depression has been questioned.Methods: We collected longitudinal data regarding momentary affective states (measured multiple times a day), perceived stressors and depressive symptoms (measured every three days) from a general population sample during the COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave in Hungary. The final dataset included 7165 affective states surveys from 125 participants, which were aggregated in 464 three-day measurement windows. Using multilevel models, we explored the unique effects of within-person changes in mean level, inertia, and instability of negative affective states (NA), and stressor-exposure on two domains of depression (anhedonia and negative mood and thoughts) within the three-day windows.Results: Within-person increases in NA inertia and NA instability showed significant positive associations with negative mood and thoughts. These effects did not remain significant after adjusting for mean levels of NA. Multilevel mediation analysis revealed that within individuals, NA inertia and instability indirectly predicted negative mood and thoughts through elevated NA mean.Limitations: The application of self-report questionnaires might bias the results, and the overrepresentation of female participants could limit the generalizability of the findings.Conclusions: Specific patterns of temporal affective functioning are indirect predictors of depressive symptoms at the within-individual level. Our findings may facilitate automated depression risk assessment on the basis of simple affective time series.


1984 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald M. Devins ◽  
Yitzchak M. Binik ◽  
Tom A. Hutchinson ◽  
David J. Hollomby ◽  
Paul E. Barré ◽  
...  

The emotional impact of the intrusiveness of illness and patients' reduced control over several aspects of life were examined in the context of end-stage renal disease. A sample of thirty-five hemodialysis, ten continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and twenty-five posttransplant patients participated in a standardized interview in which a series of eight self-report measures of positive and negative mood, life happiness, self-esteem, depression, and somatic symptoms of distress were obtained. Attending staff also completed a depression rating scale for each participant. Data reduction via principal-components analysis yielded two factors, corresponding to negative and positive mood, and these were submitted to covariance analyses in which age, general nonrenal health, and defensiveness were controlled statistically. Patients' perceptions of increased intrusiveness, and their perceptions of limited control over eleven life dimensions, each correlated significantly and uniquely with increased negative and decreased positive mood, suggesting that each of these two factors contributes importantly and independently to patients' distress. An “objective” continuum of intrusiveness, constructed by ranking the various treatment modalities represented in the sample, also related significantly to positive (but not to negative) mood levels.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Crane ◽  
Ian Davidson ◽  
Rachel Prosser ◽  
Elizabeth Pellicano

BackgroundPsychiatrists play a critical role in identifying and supporting their patients on the autism spectrum in the UK, yet little is known about their knowledge, attitudes and experiences in this regard.AimsTo understand psychiatrists' experiences of working with autistic individuals, their confidence in making diagnostic/management decisions and the factors that affect such decisions.MethodA total of 172 psychiatrists took part in an online self-report survey.ResultsMost psychiatrists reported receiving useful training on autism and were knowledgeable about the condition, particularly those with a personal connection to autism. Higher confidence in working with autistic patients was linked to greater levels of autism knowledge, experience and training. Several systemic and autism-specific factors were highlighted by psychiatrists, which were felt to challenge their ability to provide effective care and support for their patients on the autism spectrum.ConclusionsPsychiatrists' views corroborated previous research with the autism community, highlighting the need to co-design services that are accessible, respectful and person-centred.Declaration of interestI.D. is the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Autism Champion.


2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052096924
Author(s):  
Joseph R. Cohen ◽  
Shiesha McNeil ◽  
Suvarna V. Menon

Anhedonia, defined as deficits in positive affect and approach related behaviors, remains an understudied trauma response. As anhedonic responses to interpersonal violence are associated with a more severe course of psychopathology that is more difficult to treat, an increased focus on risk factors for anhedonia is necessary. The present study sought to address this gap in the literature by testing a theoretical model that highlights two transdiagnostic pathways leading to anhedonic responses in emerging adults attending college. Specifically, our study examined how childhood maltreatment subtypes (a) uniquely associate with depressive and post-traumatic stress (PTS) manifestations of anhedonia and (b) how temperament (i.e., anticipatory positive affect) and distress (i.e., negative mood) explain these relations. At baseline, a racially diverse sample of 462 emerging adults (AgeMean = 19.45; 75.5% female; 45.5% White) completed self-report forms on childhood abuse and neglect, anticipatory positive affect, negative mood, and anhedonia. Individuals completed measures of temperament and psychological distress again 6-weeks, and 12-weeks later. Latent growth curve models were utilized to test our model. Consistent with hypotheses, deficits in anticipatory positive affect uniquely explained the relation between neglect and depressive/PTS anhedonic symptoms. Meanwhile, negative mood mediated the relation between abuse and both forms of anhedonia. These findings support the theory that two separate risk pathways lead to anhedonia. Support for our model suggests that distinguishing between pathways for anhedonic responses may be the key to a more targeted, transdiagnostic, trauma-informed approach for treating and preventing these deleterious, treatment-resistant, internalizing symptoms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 442-453
Author(s):  
Lee Kannis-Dymand ◽  
Emily Hughes ◽  
Kate Mulgrew ◽  
Janet D. Carter ◽  
Steven Love

AbstractBackground:Metacognition and perfectionism are factors found to be associated with both anxiety and depression. A common component that underlies these factors is the influence of perseverance, or the tendency to continue a behaviour or thought even if it is no longer productive.Aims:This study aimed to investigate the relationships between metacognitive beliefs with maladaptive aspects of perfectionism (i.e. perseverance behaviours), and their relation to anxiety and depression.Method:Participants (n = 1033) completed six self-report questionnaires measuring metacognitive beliefs about rumination and worry, perseverance, anxiety and depression. Data were analysed using correlational testing, and structural equation modelling.Results:Results of structural equation modelling revealed that positive metacognitive beliefs about repetitive negative thinking increased the likelihood to perceive the thinking as uncontrollable, and that perseverance behaviours were predicted by all metacognitive beliefs. Furthermore, examination of partial correlations revealed that both negative metacognitive beliefs about repetitive negative thinking and perseverance behaviours predicted anxiety and depression; however, negative metacognitive beliefs were the strongest predictor, in both cases.Conclusions:The results provided support for current metacognitive models, in that the interpretation of cognitive perseveration sequentially influences psychopathology, but also provided insight into the inclusion of perseveration behaviours. Furthermore, the findings may also have value in a clinical setting, as targeting metacognitive beliefs in the presence of perseverance type behaviours may prove beneficial for treatment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E. Gustavson ◽  
Alta du Pont ◽  
Mark A. Whisman ◽  
Akira Miyake

Recent theoretical advances have emphasized the commonality between rumination and worry, often referred to as repetitive negative thinking. Although not studied extensively, repetitive negative thinking may not only account for a substantial overlap between depression and anxiety symptoms but also encapsulate other constructs including one’s tendency to experience unwanted intrusive thoughts or have low levels of mindfulness. In this study, 643 college students completed self-report questionnaire measures of repetitive negative thinking (the Habit Index of Negative Thinking) and other relevant constructs including rumination, worry, depression and anxiety symptoms, intrusive thoughts, and mindfulness. To analyze the data, we conducted systematic commonality analyses, which algebraically decomposed shared variances among these measures into various unique components. Results in Study 1 indicated that individual differences in repetitive negative thinking were explained largely by the overlap between rumination and worry, but also by some rumination-specific and worry-specific variance. Moreover, the shared variation in rumination and worry explained the frequencies of depression and anxiety symptoms and their overlap. We also found in Study 2 that repetitive negative thinking was positively related to intrusive thoughts and negatively related to mindfulness. These associations were mostly explained by shared variance with rumination and worry, but there was also some mindfulness-specific variance. These results suggest that repetitive negative thinking may indeed lie at the core of the comorbidity between depression and anxiety symptoms, but that it is also a broader construct that encompasses intrusive thoughts and low levels of mindfulness.


Author(s):  
Anna Thomas ◽  
Susan Moore

A study involving 83 female and 72 male gamblers tested the direct and interactional effects of avoidance coping and five dysphoric moods on problem gambling via regression analysis. Important differences were found between female and male gamblers. For female gamblers, loneliness, boredom, anxiety, depression and avoidance coping were all positively related to problem gambling. Additionally, interactions between these mood states and avoidance coping significantly predicted problem gambling; female gamblers with high dysphoria and high avoidance coping showed substantially more symptoms of problem gambling than those scoring high on only one variable. In contrast, loneliness and stress were the only significant predictors of problem gambling for males - neither avoidance coping nor any of the interactional relationships between mood and coping predicted problem gambling. These results support previous qualitative studies and suggest that female problem gamblers gamble as an escape from dysphoric moods. Even though male problem gamblers expressed more negative affect than male non-problem gamblers, there was no evidence to suggest that negative mood was a precursor rather than an outcome of gambling behaviour.


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