title: To suppress, or not to suppress? That is repression: controlling intrusive thoughts in addictive behaviour.
abstract: Research to understand how individuals cope with intrusive negative or threatening thoughts suggests a variety of different cognitive strategies aimed at thought control. In this review, two of these strategies--thought suppression and repressive coping--are discussed in the context of addictive behaviour. Thought suppression involves conscious, volitional attempts to expel a thought from awareness, whereas repressive coping, which involves the avoidance of thoughts without the corresponding conscious intention, appears to be a far more automated process. Whilst there has been an emerging body of research exploring the role of thought suppression in addictive behaviour, there remains a dearth of research which has considered the role of repressive coping in the development of, and recovery from, addiction. Based on a review of the literature, and a discussion of the supposed mechanisms which underpin these strategies for exercising mental control, a conceptual model is proposed which posits a potential common mechanism. This model makes a number of predictions which require exploration in future research to fully understand the cognitive strategies utilised by individuals to control intrusive thoughts related to their addictive behaviour.
authors: Department of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: mossac@lsbu.ac.uk.
authors: Antony C
authors: AC
authors: Moss
authors: Division of Population Health Sciences and Education, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
authors: James A K
authors: JAK
authors: Erskine
authors: Department of Psychology, School of Applied Sciences, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London SE1 0AA, United Kingdom.
authors: Ian P
authors: IP
authors: Albery
authors: Division of Population Health Sciences and Education, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom.
authors: James Richard
authors: JR
authors: Allen
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AB, United Kingdom.
authors: George J
authors: GJ
authors: Georgiou
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D064866:Mindfulness; D011594:Psychometrics; D012094:Repression, Psychology; D013850:Thinking
keywords: Alcohol; Mindfulness; Repressive coping; Smoking; Thought suppression