A multidimensional structure for repetitive thought: what's on your mind, and how, and how much?
Although repetitive thought (RT) styles such as worry, rumination, and processing correlate positively, they have divergent effects on well-being, suggesting important dimensional variation. In Study 1, multidimensional scaling identified 2 dimensions--positive versus negative content valence and searching versus solving purpose--among students (N=978) who completed standard RT measures. In Study 2, students (N=100) sorted 25 descriptions of RT. Multidimensional scaling identified 4 dimensions, including valence and purpose. Content valence associated with valenced affect; solving associated with less aroused affect and less polarized appraisals of thought topics. In Study 3, valence and purpose of RT descriptions by women in a breast cancer prevention trial (N=62) predicted concurrent affect and psychological and physical well-being.
Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0044, USA. scsege0@uky.edu
Suzanne C
SC
Segerstrom
Annette L
AL
Stanton
Lynn E
LE
Alden
Brenna E
BE
Shortridge
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal; D001288:Attention; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013850:Thinking