Testing the differential effects of acceptance and attention-based psychological interventions on intrusive thoughts and worry.
Worry is a key component of anxiety and may be an effective target for therapeutic intervention. We compared two psychological processes (attention and acceptance) on the frequency of intrusive worrying thoughts in an experimental worry task.



77 participants were randomised across three groups and completed either a 10 min attention or acceptance-based psychological exercise, or progressive muscle relaxation control. We subsequently measured anxiety, and the content and frequency of intrusive thoughts before and after a 'worry induction task'.



Groups did not differ in baseline worry, anxiety or thought intrusions. Both attention and acceptance-based groups experienced fewer negative thought intrusions (post-worry) compared to the relaxation control group. The acceptance exercise had the largest effect, preventing 'worry induction'. Increases in negative intrusive thoughts predicted subjective anxiety.



We provide evidence that acceptance and attention psychological exercises may reduce anxiety by reducing the negative thought intrusions that characterise worry.
Psychology. Faculty of Social, Human & Mathematical Sciences, University of Southampton, UK; Primary Care and Population Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK. Electronic address: ben.ainsworth@southampton.ac.uk.
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B
Ainsworth
Research Centre for Behaviour Change, Department of Psychology, Bournemouth University, UK.
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H
Bolderston
Psychology. Faculty of Social, Human & Mathematical Sciences, University of Southampton, UK; Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, UK.
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M
Garner
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012063:Relaxation / Q000523:psychology; D013850:Thinking; D055815:Young Adult
Acceptance; Anxiety; Attention; Meditation; Mindfulness; Worry