Reducing Repetitive Thought in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Abstract

This study evaluated two computerized interventions intended to reduce the frequency of negatively-valenced repetitive thought and negative emotions that accompany these thoughts in college students prescreened for elevated levels of anxiety. The current study also tested the moderating effects of participants' tendency toward different types of repetitive thought, specifically rumination and worry, on outcomes including the amount of time spent discussing the thought, positive affectivity and negative affectivity. The rumination intervention was created for this study and based on goal progress theory, whereas the worry intervention was adapted from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Findings revealed no moderating effect of the tendency to engage in a specific type of repetitive thought. Instead, participants who received the worry intervention spent less time focusing on their thought and used less negative emotion words during a post-intervention verbalization period than those who received the rumination intervention regardless of the general tendency toward rumination or worry.