The effect of avoidant tendencies on the intensity of intrusive memories in a community sample of college students

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the factors that influence the enhancement of intrusive memories, with a particular focus on individuals’ avoidant tendencies: thought suppression, rumination, and dissociation. A total of 641 undergraduates (253 men and 388 women, M = 20.0 years) completed a battery of measures: (1) a questionnaire about intrusive memories (contents and degree of intrusion measured by the Impact of Event Scale); (2) the Beck Depression Inventory-II; (3) the White Bear Suppression Inventory; (4) the Negative Rumination Trait Scale; and (5) the Dissociative Experiences Scale. Approximately, 55% of the participants had experienced intrusive memories, of which over 90% had negative implications. The individual’s avoidant tendencies, especially thought suppression, had significant influence on the degree of intrusion of negative memories, once participants’ depressive symptoms were controlled. Clinical and research implications of the study were outlined.