title: Shared and Distinct Cognitive/Affective Mechanisms in Intrusive Cognition: An Examination of Worry and Obsessions.
abstract: Generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder are defined by chronic intrusive thoughts. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between cognitive (attentional control) and motivational (negative urgency) mechanisms potentially underlying worry and obsessions. Participants (N= 526) completed an online questionnaire battery consisting of self-report measures of worry, OCD symptoms, attentional control (AC), negative urgency (NU), and trait negative affect. After controlling for trait negative affect, self-reported AC was negatively related to worry, repugnant obsessions, and ordering symptoms. Greater NU was associated with increased worry and repugnant obsessions. Further, self-reported AC and NU interacted such that greater NU was associated with greater worry at high but not low levels of AC. AC and NU were independently associated with repugnant obsessions. Perceived executive functioning impairments may confer risk for intrusive thoughts, particularly worries, whereas distress-driven impulsivity may contribute to the involuntary, ego-dystonic features of intrusions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, P.O. Box 3064301, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Macatee
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, P.O. Box 3064301, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, P.O. Box 3064301, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gajewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, P.O. Box 3064301, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Aaron M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Norr
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, P.O. Box 3064301, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda Medley
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Raines
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, P.O. Box 3064301, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Albanese
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, P.O. Box 3064301, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Boffa
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, P.O. Box 3064301, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Norman B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Florida State University, P.O. Box 3064301, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Jesse R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Cougle
keywords: GAD; OCD; attentional control; intrusive thoughts; negative urgency