Abstract
Self-focused attention is a primary risk factor for depression in adolescents. Previous studies have suggested that sustained self-focus ultimately leads to depression. However, in recent years, it has been suggested that focusing on all aspects of the self, both positive and negative, has a positive effect on mental health. Hence, in this study, we aimed to explore adaptive self-focusing and examined the effects on mood following manipulation of the self-aspect (i.e., both positive and negative aspects of self, only positive, and only negative). Eighty-eight Japanese undergraduate and graduate students participated in the experiment. Results suggest that focusing on both positive and negative aspects of the self does not amplify depressed mood. Furthermore, this type of self-focus also does not decrease positive mood, and exhibits the same adaptive effects on mood as focusing only on positive aspects of the self.
Highlights
In adolescence, mental disorders, such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia are more likely to develop or manifest (Sawazaki & Matsubara, 1988)
Tabuchi et al 1416 tive aspects of the self and view it as a problem. These findings suggest that, in adolescence, it is important to consider which aspect of the self to focus upon for self-focusing to become adaptive, and that focusing on both positive and negative aspects is necessary
It has been suggested that attention paid to both the positive and negative aspects of the self provides a buffer from the depression that typically results from only a negative self-focus (Kumada & Oikawa, 2015). These findings suggest that it is possible to adaptively engage in self-focusing, without increasing depressed mood, by combining attention to both the negative and positive aspects when self-focusing
Summary
Mental disorders, such as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and schizophrenia are more likely to develop or manifest (Sawazaki & Matsubara, 1988). Self-focused attention is one of the possible risk factors of depression in adolescents. Self-focused attention is both the state of paying attention to oneself, and the personality trait of an individual that tends to readily pay attention to him/herself (Sakamoto, 1997). Establishment of ego identity is an important developmental task in adolescence. As such, this developmental task presents individuals more opportunities to think about who they are, and what kind of person they would like to be. Self-focused attention increases (Sakamoto, 1997; Kosaka, 2009)
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