Negative Cognitions Research Articles

College art appreciation teaching on aesthetic psychology of depressed university students

BackgroundThe prevalence of depression is increasing due to the tremendous pressure of life and study. Depression may lead to excessive depression, thinking disorder, cognitive dysfunction, other problems, and extreme behaviors such as suicide. To improve the treatment effect of depression, to study the auxiliary treatment of art appreciation teaching on the psychological influence of patients with depression.Subjects and Methods Twenty depressed college students who received art appreciation teaching were selected as the experimental group, and 20 other depressed college students were selected as the control group. The 17-item version of the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) was used to collect data from the two groups of college students. Five art appreciation courses were taken as a cycle, and five courses were taken as a course of treatment. In each process, the two groups of college students were tested for depression scores until the end of three courses.ResultsThe average scores of the experimental and control groups were 20 and 25 after one session and 15 and 23 after three sessions, respectively. The experimental group significantly improved psychological adjustment and emotion management, while the control group had no significant change.ConclusionsLearning and appreciating artworks can change negative emotions, improve self-awareness and cognition, and cultivate positive emotional experiences. Therefore, colleges and universities should pay attention to and strengthen the teaching of art appreciation and provide effective psychological intervention and aesthetic education help for college students with depression.

Cognitive-behavioral group teaching on social anxiety disorder of tourism management majors

Background Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (GCBT) is the primary psychological treatment for social anxiety disorder. The core concept of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is manifested in two aspects: cognitive correction and behavioral feedback. Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is a chronic mental disorder with a high incidence of negative automatic thinking and negative fear.Subjects and MethodsThis study conducted a controlled experiment between 50 SAD patients and 50 healthy people. Before treatment, 50 SAD patients were surveyed by psychological questionnaires, including social anxiety scale, social support scale, and parenting style questionnaire, to evaluate the thinking style, personality characteristics, and external psychosocial support of SAD patients. After GCBT treatment, SAD patients were again surveyed with a scale and questionnaire within one week to evaluate the degree of symptom improvement and cognitive change. In this study, SPSS23.0 analysis software was used for analysis.ResultsThere were significant differences in thinking style, personality characteristics, social support, and parenting style between SAD patients and the control group (P<0.05). Social anxiety (P=0.03), negative thinking (P=0.03), and fear of negation (P=0.04) were significantly lower in GCBT patients after treatment than before treatment.ConclusionsGCBT treatment can change the symptoms of SAD patients in a long-term and stable manner, which is related to the changes in patients’ cognitive habits. GCBT treatment can improve the negative cognition of SAD patients to reduce their symptoms, and increasing subjective social support and reducing paternity rejection can improve the long-term prognosis of patients with social anxiety.AcknowledgementThe National Social Science Foundation (22XGL021); Guizhou grassroots social governance innovation high-end think tank; the grass-roots governance innovation team for Rural Revitalization of Guizhou Federation of Social Sciences.

Региональная специфика пcихологического благополучия студентов выпускных курсов факультета психологии

The relevance of studying the specifics of the psychological well-being among psychology students is due to the need to prevent their professional burnout and improve the image of the psychology profession. The purpose of the study was to identify differences in the general level and specific indicators of psychological well-being and happiness of final-year students of the psychology department of the capital and regional universities. Ryff's theory of psychological well-being, the provisions of cognitive, positive and personality-oriented approaches were used; in addition to Ryff's multidimensional model of psychological well-being, the M.W. Fordyce scale of happiness and the S. Lyubomirsky & N. Lepper scale of subjective happiness were used. The sample consisted of 200 full-time graduate students from the Faculty of Psychology at two regional universities and a Moscow university. It was shown that the groups differ significantly in eight parameters of psychological well-being and happiness: life goals; self-acceptance; competence; general level of psychological well-being; degree of happiness; time “on the rise”; time of feeling unhappy; level of subjective happiness. The paper concludes that psychology students from a capital university are significantly happier than their peers from regional universities. Methods of autopsychocorrection of negative cognitions are proposed to improve psychological well-being of students. The practical significance lies in the possibilities of using the obtained results to improve course programs as part of the curriculum of the main professional educational program (Psychology), training courses and educational work with students.

Research on the Application of Expressive Art Therapy in the Teaching of Mental Health Education Courses for College Students

Mental health education courses hold a pivotal role in nurturing the psychological well-being of college students and shaping their future development. This paper explores the integration of expressive art therapy into mental health education courses and its impact on college freshmen's mental health and classroom satisfaction. Drawing on a non-random cluster sampling method, 198 students from a university in Shandong Province participated, with half forming the experimental expressive art group and the other half constituting the control traditional group. Results demonstrated that the expressive art group experienced significant improvements in mental health, with higher scores in self-affirmation and lower scores in anxiety and depression compared to the control group. The study emphasizes a student-centered approach, focusing on experiential learning and self-expression, facilitated through music, painting, and psychodrama. It also highlights the role of expressive arts therapy in reducing self-defense mechanisms, enhancing selfexpression, and challenging negative cognitions. While the study shows promise, future research should consider longterm effect and qualitative assessments to comprehensively evaluate the clinical significance of expressive art group therapy.

Maternal childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms, bonding, and infant development: a prospective study

ABSTRACT Background Childbirth-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (CB-PTSS) including general symptoms (GS, i.e., mainly negative cognitions and mood and hyperarousal symptoms) and birth-related symptoms (BRS, i.e., mostly re-experiencing and avoidance symptoms) may disrupt mother-infant bonding and infant development. This study investigated prospective and cross-sectional associations between maternal CB-PTSS and mother-infant bonding or infant development (language, motor, and cognitive). Method We analysed secondary data of the control group of a randomised control trial (NCT 03576586) with full-term French-speaking mother-infant dyads (n = 55). Maternal CB-PTSS and mother-infant bonding were assessed via questionnaires at six weeks (T1) and six months (T2) postpartum: PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) and Mother-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS). Infant development was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at T2. Sociodemographic and medical data were collected from questionnaires and medical records. Bivariate and multivariate regression were used. Results Maternal total CB-PTSS score at T1 was associated with poorer bonding at T2 in the unadjusted model (B = 0.064, p = 0.043). In the adjusted model, cross-sectional associations were found at T1 between a higher total CB-PTSS score and poorer bonding (B = 0.134, p = 0.017) and between higher GS and poorer bonding (B = 0.306, p = 0.002). Higher BRS at T1 was associated with better infant cognitive development at T2 in the unadjusted model (B = 0.748, p = 0.026). Conclusions Results suggest that CB-PTSS were associated with mother-infant bonding difficulties, while CB-PTSS were not significantly associated with infant development. Additional studies are needed to increase our understanding of the intergenerational consequences of perinatal trauma.

How place shapes the aspirations of hope: the allegory of the privileged and the underprivileged

ABSTRACT We articulate a holistic understanding of hope, going beyond the common conceptualization of hope in terms of positive affect and cognition by considering what hope means for the underprivileged. In the recognition that hope is always situated in a particular place, we explore the perspective of the privileged and the underprivileged, clarifying how spatial contexts shape their goals for the future and their agency toward attaining these goals. Where some people experience precarity due to their disability, race, gender, sexuality, and social class, others enjoy enhanced agency due to their privilege. In our analysis, this loss of agency does not mean the underprivileged are hopeless; instead, it suggests that hope can incorporate negative affect and cognition. In our view, a spatial understanding acknowledges the power of hope in discouraging situations, and it points to practical measures through which hope can be cultivated by marginalized communities.

Changes in posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity during the COVID-19 pandemic: Ten-wave findings from a longitudinal observational cohort study of community adults

Few studies have examined changes in posttraumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology across an extended time period during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study used a longitudinal cohort design to examine: (1) changes in overall PTSD symptoms and symptom clusters; (2) moderators of change; (3) the clinical significance of observed changes; and (4) correlates of clinically meaningful changes. Community adults (N = 1412) were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) at 10 timepoints (October 2018 - April 2022). Changes in overall PCL-5 score and symptom clusters were substantially moderated by pre-pandemic clinical severity (i.e., above/below PCL-5 cut-off). Pre-pandemic non-clinical participants exhibited increases in overall scores, Cluster D (negative cognitions), and Cluster E (arousal), while clinically elevated participants exhibited decreases overall and in all clusters. Regarding clinical significance, 12% of pre-pandemic non-clinical participants exhibited clinically meaningful increases, and 4% exhibited decreases. Conversely, 42% of the pre-pandemic elevated group exhibited clinically meaningful decreases, while 6% exhibited increases. Pandemic impacts in numerous psychosocial domains were associated with clinically meaningful change. Collectively, these findings reveal substantively divergent trajectories by pre-pandemic severity and PTSD symptom cluster. The large proportion of pre-pandemic high-severity participants exhibiting sizable decreases was an unexpected notable observation.

Examining Social Media Users’ Information Avoidance: An Integration of Cognitive Dissonance and Psychological Empowerment

As a passive information behavior, information avoidance (IA) may undermine the sustainable development of social media platforms. Previous research has focused on the enabling effect of negative cognitions and emotions on IA, and has seldom considered the inhibitors of IA. This research tries to fill the gap by integrating a dual perspective of both enablers and inhibitors. Drawing on the cognitive dissonance theory (CDT) and psychological empowerment theory (PET), this research examined social media users’ IA. We adopted a mixed method of structural equation modeling (SEM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to conduct data analysis. The results showed that social support (SS) and information quality (IQ) affect psychological empowerment (PE), which further inhibits IA. In contrast, social comparison (SC), and perceived overload (PO) affect cognitive dissonance, which leads to IA. The fsQCA results found three paths that trigger users’ IA. The results imply that social media platforms need to mitigate cognitive dissonance and enhance PE in order to prevent users’ IA. This research contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the development process of IA. The limitation is that the results need to be generalized to other samples, such as the elderly.

Differential Associations Between Posttraumatic Cognitions, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, and Race Among Black and White Veterans Seeking Treatment for Assaultive Military Sexual Trauma.

Past research supports the role of negative posttraumatic cognitions (NPCs) in the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The relationship between NPCs and PTSD may be uniquely impacted by racial status and experiences of military sexual trauma (MST), both of which may have a unique impact on one's understanding of self, others, and the world. We explored racial differences in the association between NPCs and PTSD symptom clusters in a sample of veterans endorsing MST (N = 139; 74.8% White, 25.2% Black). A path model was created and analyzed both with the full sample and separately by racial group. In the full sample, NPCs about the self and world were significantly associated with intrusion, negative alterations in cognitions and mood (NACM), and arousal, but not avoidance. Self-blame was not a significant predictor of negative alterations in cognition in mood. This model was consistent in the White veteran model, whereas only negative cognitions about the self were associated with NACM in the Black veteran path model. NPCs about the self and world appear important to non-avoidance PTSD symptomatology related to MST and thus should be targeted in treatment. For Black veterans endorsing distress related to NACM symptoms, negative beliefs about the self should be specifically considered for intervention.

Sexual assault characteristics and posttraumatic stress symptoms among collegiate women: The role of posttraumatic cognitions.

Although it is well-established that sexual assault is a risk factor for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and other negative mental health outcomes, research is needed to help identify which individuals are most likely to experience ongoing distress following sexual assault. Negative cognitions following trauma may be influenced by sexual assault characteristics and have been shown to be associated with PTSS. The present study examined whether sexual assault characteristics were associated with PTSS by way of posttraumatic cognitions in a sample of 475 female college students who had experienced a sexual assault since the age of 14 years. Participants completed an online survey that included questions about sexual assault characteristics (i.e., whether the perpetrator used force, whether they experienced a freeze response), posttraumatic cognitions, and PTSS. Path analysis revealed that survivors who indicated they froze during the assault reported higher levels of PTSS, total effect = .28, p < .001, direct effect = .19, p < .001; posttraumatic cognitions regarding others, indirect effect = .02, p = .047, and other-safety, indirect effect = .05, p = .003, partially accounted for this association. Only the direct effect of perpetrator use of force on PTSS was statistically significant, total effect = .23, p = .090, direct effect = .16, p = .009; none of the indirect effects were statistically significant, ps = .063-.669. The results support that assault characteristics are associated with postassault outcomes and are consistent with the cognitive model of posttraumatic stress disorder.

A Comparison of Affective-Cognitive States in Daily Life Between Emerging Adults With and Without Past-Year Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Although the literature suggests trait-like differences in affective and cognitive vulnerabilities between individuals with and without a history of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), little is known about how these dispositional differences are experienced in the natural environment. The present study compares the intensity, inertia, interaction, and variability of affective (negative and positive affect) and cognitive states (rumination, self-criticism) in the everyday lives of individuals who do and do not engage in NSSI. Using experience sampling methodology (ESM), 60 emerging adults (ages = 18–22 years) with and without past-year NSSI (equally distributed) completed eight questionnaires per day for 12 days (in total, 96 questionnaires per participant), resulting in 4,587 assessments (median compliance = 83.3%; IQR = 71.9–91.7). In a dynamic structural equation modeling framework, dynamic parameters (i.e., mean intensity, carryover effects, spillover effects, and within-person variability) were evaluated using multilevel vector autoregressive models. Emerging adults who engage in NSSI experience higher intensity and greater variability of negative affect, rumination, and self-criticism, whereas those who do not engage in NSSI experience higher intensity and lower variability of positive affect. In addition, past-year NSSI predicted stronger affective-cognitive interactions over time, with stronger spillover effects of negative and positive affect on subsequent rumination and self-criticism in individuals who engage in NSSI. Depressive symptoms and trait levels of emotion dysregulation and self-criticism partially negated these differences. Our findings provide evidence that emerging adults who self-injure experience more negative affective-cognitive states in daily life and point to the potential relevance of boosting positive emotions to buffer negative cognitions.

How do cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy improve youth depression? Applying meta-analytic structural equation modeling to three decades of randomized trials.

Investigating the mechanisms through which psychotherapy brings about desired change can inform efforts to improve therapies. We applied meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) to assess putative change mechanisms for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as mediators of youth depression treatment outcome. Then, we tested whether candidate mediators (CMs) showed evidence of treatment-specificity to CBT versus interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). Literature searches identified 34 randomized trials (27 CBT, 6 IPT, 1 CBT/IPT, 3,868 participants, published 1982-2020) that measured seven CMs: negative cognition, social engagement, family functioning, pleasant activity engagement, problem solving, reframing, or avoidance. We assessed mediational pathways and whether posttreatment CMs mediated treatment effects on posttreatment depression symptoms, covarying pretreatment CMs, and symptoms. Treatment type was tested as a moderator of mediational pathways. Results show that negative cognition (24 trials) and pleasant activities (3 trials) mediated depression symptom outcome in CBT. Social engagement and family functioning showed stronger mediation in IPT (5 and 6 trials) than in CBT (14 and 13 trials). We conclude that negative cognition is a robust mediator of CBT but may not be treatment-specific; pleasant activities may also be a mediator of CBT. However, the lack of treatment or mediation effects involving problem solving and reframing contradicts CBT theory. In contrast, social and family mechanisms appear to be IPT-specific mediators. These conclusions are provisional due to small samples examining IPT and several CMs, limitations in CM measurement (i.e., posttreatment retrospective report), and assumptions of MASEM-and will need to be confirmed when more and better evidence accumulates. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Genetic contribution of synapse-associated protein 97 to cerebellar functional connectivity changes in first-episode schizophrenia

Our previous study data suggested that the synapse-associated protein 97 (SAP97) rs3915512 polymorphism is significantly related to clinical performance in schizophrenia. The cerebellum exhibits abundant expression of SAP97, which is involved with negative symptoms, cognition and emotion in schizophrenia. As functional dysconnectivity with the cortical-subcortical-cerebellar circuitry has been widely shown in patients with schizophrenia, cortical-subcortical-cerebellar dysconnectivity can therefore be considered a possible intermediate phenotype that connects risk genes with schizophrenia. In this study, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was applied to evaluate whether the SAP97 rs3915512 polymorphism changes cortical/subcortical-cerebellar resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) in 104 Han Chinese subjects (52 first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and 52 matched healthy controls (HCs)). To examine RSFC between cortical/subcortical regions and the cerebellum, a ROI (region of interest)-wise functional connectivity analysis was conducted. The association between abnormal cortical/subcortical-cerebellar connectivity and clinical manifestation was further assessed in FES patients with different genotypes. The interactive effect of disease and genotype on RSFC was found between the frontal gyrus (rectus) and cerebellum. A positive correlation was suggested between RSFC in the cerebellum and the hostility scores in FES patients with the A allele, and no correlation was found in FES patients with the TT genotype. The current findings identified that SAP97 may be involved in the process of mental symptoms in FES patients via cerebellar connectivity depending on the rs3915512 polymorphism genotype.

Understanding the relationship between social camouflaging in autism and safety behaviours in social anxiety in autistic and non-autistic adolescents.

Social camouflaging (hereafter camouflaging) in autism includes factors such as masking and compensating for one's neurodevelopmental differences, and to assimilate or 'fit in' with non-autistic peers. Efforts to hide one's authentic self and autism traits (masking) resemble impression management (IM) in safety behaviours identified in Clark and Wells' (1995) cognitive model of social anxiety (SA). This study explores the relationship between camouflaging in autism and safety behaviours in SA among autistic and non-autistic adolescents. One hundred fifteen adolescents (14-19 years) with (n = 61; 36 female) and without (n = 54; 37 female) a clinical diagnosis of autism matched on age and SA symptom severity were recruited from clinics, schools and online. Adolescents completed online measures including autism traits, SA symptoms, camouflaging behaviours, SA-related safety behaviours and SA-related negative cognitions. Partial and bivariate Pearson's correlations and structural equation modelling were used to understand the relationship between camouflaging, safety behaviours, autism traits and SA in both groups. Exploratory factor analysis assessed item-level factor cross-loadings between camouflaging and safety behaviours. Across both groups, masking and IM were significantly associated with SA symptom severity, not autism traits, via SA-related social cognitions. Exploratory factor analysis indicated construct overlap across masking, assimilation, IM and avoidance behaviours and identified factors analogous to self-focused attention, social avoidance and mental rehearsal identified in the Clark and Wells' (1995) model of SA. This is the first study using group-matched design to identify that masking (factor in social camouflaging) and IM both relate to SA in autistic and non-autistic adolescents. Assessment and formulation of construct overlap between masking and IM may inform psychoeducation and adaptation of SA treatment for autistic adolescents.

Rumination in bipolar disorder associated with brain network and behavioural measures of inhibitory executive control.

Rumination is a passive form of negative self-focused cognition that predicts depressive episodes for individuals with bipolar disorder (BD). Individuals with BD also have impaired inhibitory executive control; rumination in BD may therefore reflect executive dysfunction. We investigated the relationship between a neural measure of executive functioning (functional connectivity between the frontoparietal control network [FPCN] and the default mode network [DMN] during an effortful task), behavioural measures of executive functioning (the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function) and rumination (the Ruminative Responses Scale). Fifteen individuals with BD and fifteen healthy controls underwent MRI scans during mental distraction. Using CONN toolbox, between-network FPCN-DMN connectivity values were calculated. We conducted Pearson's r bivariate correlations between connectivity values, BRIEF and RRS scores. RRS scores were positively correlated with BRIEF Behavioral Regulation Index (BRI) scores. In individuals with BD, there was a positive correlation between FPCN-DMN functional connectivity during distraction and BRIEF BRI scores. FPCN-DMN functional connectivity was also positively correlated with RRS ruminative brooding scores. Healthy controls did not show significant correlations between these behavioural and neural measures of executive functioning and rumination. For individuals with BD, the greater the tendency to ruminate and the higher the executive dysfunction, the stronger the connectivity between an executive control network and a network involved in rumination during an unrelated cognitive task. This could reflect continual attempts to inhibit ruminative thinking and shift back to the distraction task. Therefore, engagement in rumination may reflect failed inhibitory executive control.

The relationship between dysfunctional attitudes, maladaptive perfectionism, metacognition and symptoms of mania and depression in bipolar disorder: The role of self-compassion as a mediating factor

BackgroundMaladaptive cognitions appear to be associated with the severity of mood symptoms in bipolar disorder (BD), but findings are mixed and generally cross-sectional in design. MethodThis study (n = 331) explored the associations between maladaptive cognitions and mood symptoms in BD over time (3 months), and the potential mediating effect of self-compassion cross-sectionally. Dysfunctional attitudes, maladaptive perfectionism and maladaptive metacognitions were explored separately with depressive and manic symptoms, and with current mood state in BD. ResultsThe results showed maladaptive metacognitions to be the only significant predictor of depression at 3-month follow-up (β = 0.31, p < .001), with no relationship to mania over time. Cross-sectionally, self-compassion partially mediated the relationship between all maladaptive cognitions and depression, with higher dysfunctional cognitions and lower self-compassion predicting increased severity of depressive symptoms. Only the relationship between dysfunctional attitudes and mania was partially mediated by self-compassion, however, the relationship was weak and suggestive that higher self-compassion predicted increased mania. LimitationsThe study duration limited the possible analysis. Future longitudinal research is needed. Also, the study sample was not representative of the clinical population, making results less generalisable. Additionally, limited significant findings regarding manic symptoms supports the need for further research into active cognitions during this phase of BD. ConclusionsMaladaptive metacognitions were predictive of future depression severity, therefore, further exploration of metacognitive therapy for BD should be explored. Furthermore, self-compassion was shown to partially mediate the relationship between negative cognitions and mood, therefore further exploration of compassion-based therapies for BD is needed.

Youth experiencing, and youth at risk of, homelessness: Associations between trauma type, posttraumatic negative cognitions, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Youth experiencing, and youth at risk of, homelessness: Associations between trauma type, posttraumatic negative cognitions, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

PERAN NEGATIVE SOCIAL COGNITION DAN SELF-FOCUSED ATTENTION TERHADAP GEJALA GANGGUAN KECEMASAN SOSIAL PADA EMERGING ADULT DI INDONESIA

A strong fear of one or more social situations where one might be subject to criticism and scrutiny from others is a sign of social anxiety disorder. Untreated social anxiety disorder symptoms have been linked to risky conduct, including risky sexual activity, abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, which peaks throughout the emerging adulthood stage. The key variables that contribute to the symptoms of social anxiety disorder are self-focused attention and negative social cognition, according to a number of cognitive theories. This study looked at the effects of self-focused attention and negative social cognition on social anxiety disorder symptoms in emerging adults in Indonesia. This study's design was a correlational study, and convenience sampling was used to choose participants who were between the ages of 18 and 25 and had at least a high school diploma. The Social Cognitions Questionnaire (SCQ), Self-Consciousness Scale (SCS), and Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) were made available online to gather data. There were 124 people in all that took part in the study. The results of the multiple regression test reveal that while self-focused attention is not connected with social anxiety, negative social cognition significantly contributes to it. To research the connection between self-focused attention and symptoms of social anxiety disorder in Eastern nations, cultural factors like self-construal can be looked into.

Heightened threat perceptions and reduced stability in anxiety and fear among U.S. adults who carry handguns

Firearm carrying is often motivated to provide safety and is correlated with increased anxiety related to elevated perceptions of the world as a dangerous place. No studies have investigated affective states among firearm owners as they occur in their natural environments. This study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to examine cognitive-affective states among firearm owners who carry handguns outside their home (n = 35), firearm owners who do not carry (n = 47), and non-firearm owners (n = 62). Participants completed a self-report questionnaire at baseline followed by EMA surveys of mood state with the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) 6 times per day for 28 consecutive days. Carry handgun owners reported significantly higher threat perceptions, measured with the negative cognitions about the world subscale of the shortened Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI), than no-carry handgun owners (Mdiff=2.0, 95% CI=0.8–2.0, d=0.45, p = .001) and non-owners (Mdiff=1.8, 95% CI=0.6–2.9, d=0.42, p = .003). Groups did not significantly differ in mean momentary mood ratings assessed via EMA but stability in high-arousal negative arousal was significantly reduced among carry handgun owners (F(2, 150)= 3.7, p = .026). Results suggest firearm owners who carry handguns view the world as especially dangerous, are more likely to experience shifts in anxiety and fear, and take longer to recover from periods of elevated anxiety and fear.

Qualitative analysis of the cognitive triad in a sample of the general population in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

This paper explored cognitive responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in those selfreporting depressive symptoms during a period of realistic health, economic and social threat. Negative cognitions are a key therapy target for evidence-based psychological interventions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample from the general population between December 2020 and February 2021. Adult respondents (n = 555) completed open text-box questions which provided prompts of the cognitive triad: "I am…/I am not…"; "Other people are…/Other people are not…"; "The world is…". These qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Thematic responses were compared between people who self-reported moderate depressive symptoms (n = 223) and those who did not (n = 332). Fourteen independent themes were identified. Those self-reporting depressive symptoms described significantly fewer positive cognitions across all three aspects of the cognitive triad, X2 = 60.40 p < 0.01; X2 = 10.51 p < 0.05; X2 = 12.22 p < 0.01. Those self-reporting depressive symptoms also reported more self-referent negative cognitions. These data highlighted that an absence of positive cognitions differentiated the two groups more greatly than negative cognitions. These data have implications for the cognitive targets in psychological therapies in realistic high-stress situations. This paper explored cognitive responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in those selfreporting depressive symptoms during a period of realistic health, economic and social threat. Negative cognitions are a key therapy target for evidence-based psychological interventions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample from the general population between December 2020 and February 2021. Adult respondents (n = 555) completed open text-box questions which provided prompts of the cognitive triad: "I am…/I am not…"; "Other people are…/Other people are not…"; "The world is…". These qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Thematic responses were compared between people who self-reported moderate depressive symptoms (n = 223) and those who did not (n = 332). Fourteen independent themes were identified. Those self-reporting depressive symptoms described significantly fewer positive cognitions across all three aspects of the cognitive triad, X2 = 60.40 p < 0.01; X2 = 10.51 p < 0.05; X2 = 12.22 p < 0.01. Those self-reporting depressive symptoms also reported more self-referent negative cognitions. These data highlighted that an absence of positive cognitions differentiated the two groups more greatly than negative cognitions. These data have implications for the cognitive targets in psychological therapies in realistic high-stress situations.