The relationship between autogenous vs. reactive obsessions and negative self-inferences

Abstract

It has been suggested that obsessions tend to induce negative inferences about the self. However, few if any studies have examined the relationship between the type of obsession and negative self-inferences. The present study aims to examine which types of obsession are more likely to induce negative self-inferences. 40 participants were assigned into two groups (i.e., the autogenous obsession group vs. the reactive obsession group). The two groups undertook a thought-suppression task that was designed to make the participants experience their most disturbing mental intrusions. We measured the negative self-evaluations and negative self-conscious emotions of the participants to assess the extent to which their mental intrusions induce negative self-inferences. Participants with autogenous obsessions evaluated themselves more negatively in terms of morality, dangerousness, and competence dimensions of the self, and they reported more negative self-conscious emotions after they completed the task, whereas those with reactive obsessions did not. These results suggest that the extent to which mental intrusions provoke negative self-inferences varies according to the type of obsession and that autogenous obsessions are more likely than reactive obsessions to induce negative self-inferences.