Thought Control Strategies Research Articles

The Effects of Metacognition on Social Functioning in Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of metacognitive beliefs and thought-control strategies on social functioning and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The cross-sectional study sample consisted of 62 patients diagnosed with OCD and 58 healthy controls. OCD was determined by detailed mental examination and the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) was applied. All the participants completed the Metacognition Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30), Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ), Social Functioning Scale (SFS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of age, gender, education, or marital status between the patients and the healthy control group ( P > 0.05). The MCQ-30 total and subgroups scores except positive belief, BDI, and BAI of patients with OCD were statistically higher than healthy controls. SFS total and the subgroup scores of patients with OCD were statistically lower than healthy controls. The results revealed that metacognition was associated with obsessive-compulsive symptom severity and social functioning; social functioning was affected by all of the symptoms but mainly by depression. Handling metacognition and depressive symptoms may be useful for increasing social functioning of patients with OCD. More studies in the future should consider the results. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2024;54(4):e125–e134.]

The relationships among metacognitive functions, sleep-related thought-control strategies and sleep quality: A mediation analysis.

In the context of sleep disturbances, increasing evidence suggests a critical role of sleep-related dysfunctional metacognitive activity, including metacognitive control of intrusive thoughts in the pre-sleep period. Although the relationship between sleep-related thought-control strategies and poor sleep quality is well recognized, the possible contribution of general metacognitive functioning within this relation is still unclear. In this study, we performed a mediation analysis to examine the role of thought-control strategies on the relationship between metacognitive abilities and sleep quality in individuals with different self-reported sleep characteristics. Two-hundred and forty-five individuals participated in the study. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Thought Control Questionnaire Insomnia-Revised, and the Metacognition Self-Assessment Scale to evaluate sleep quality, thought-control strategies and metacognitive functions, respectively. The results showed that worry strategy in the pre-sleep period mediates the relationship between metacognitive functions and sleep quality. Particularly, the ability to understand one's mental states and mastery functions could be the two metacognitive domains primarily involved in the dysfunctional metacognitive thought-control activity responsible for reduced sleep quality. The observed effect suggests that inadequate metacognitive functioning is associated with poor sleep quality in healthy subjects via the mediation of dysfunctional worry strategy. These findings suggest the potential relevance of clinical interventions to enhance specific metacognitive abilities, with the aim to promote more functional strategies for managing cognitive and emotional processes during the pre-sleep period.

Worry in Adolescents: the Role of Metacognitive Beliefs and Thought Control Strategies

Worry in Adolescents: the Role of Metacognitive Beliefs and Thought Control Strategies

Beliefs About Traumatic Memories, Thought Control Strategies, and the Impact on PTSD Symptoms After a Natural Disaster.

This study aimed to investigate the relationships among self-reported meta-memory beliefs, thought control strategies ( i.e. , distraction, reappraisal, worry, social control, and punishment), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomology, among a sample of earthquake survivors ( N = 412). Correlational analysis and structural equation modeling were used on the responses and showed that stronger positive and negative meta-memory beliefs, and greater worry and punishment, were associated with greater PTSD symptom severity. The results also indicated that meta-memory beliefs had a prominent indirect influence toward PTSD symptomology via their effects toward thought control strategies. Follow-up analysis of variance indicated that those with a history of mental health difficulties reported higher levels of PTSD symptom severity, were more likely to score in the range of clinically relevant PTSD, and had a stronger tendency to negatively appraise unwanted thinking styles. The results of this research provide overall support for the validity of the metacognitive model for PTSD.

Effects of control strategies on the activation of unwanted intrusive thoughts in elite athletes.

Unwanted intrusive thoughts (UITs) are negative ruminations that occur commonly and show similar characteristics between clinical and nonclinical forms. Despite their prevalence and impact, the control processes of UITs remain unclear. This study aimed to capture the effects of three thought-control strategies on UITs through an interventional design with individualized choking thoughts among Elite athletes, while measuring behavioral and brain responses. Ninety athletes recollected recent "choking" experiences prior to being randomized into one of three groups that used either acceptance, suppression, or passive monitoring (control condition). The activation of choking thoughts during and after the thought control intervention was gauged through three measurement approaches, including conscious presence in mind, priming, as well as the amplitudes of the P3b and N400 event-related potentials (ERPs). To strengthen the causal inferences concerning thought control strategies, athletes' working memory capacity was measured and controlled at baseline. Results indicated that, relative to passive monitoring, suppression led to enhanced priming and reduced conscious presence of UITs, whereas acceptance resulted in an opposite pattern of reduced priming and increased conscious presence of UITs. Moreover, UIT-related stimuli elicited less negative-going N400 amplitudes and more positive-going P3b amplitudes than UIT-irrelevant stimuli, although no effect of thought control strategies was identified on the ERPs. These findings contribute to the theoretical and mechanistic understanding of UIT control processes by revealing subtle effects of two fundamental UIT control strategies: suppression and acceptance. Such insights also bear meaningful applied implications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Mediating Role of Perfectionism between Thought Control Strategies and Test Anxiety

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between thought control strategies and test anxiety: the mediating role of perfectionism among male and female students of high schools for the gifted in the first and second districts of Kerman in 2017. It was a descriptive and correlational study. The statistical population of the study included female and male students of high schools for the gifted in the first and second districts of Kerman in the age range of 12 to 18 years old with a total sample size of 2400 subjects. Considering the population size and the sample size, a total number of 331 subjects were selected according to Morgan's table. Participants were selected randomly in a multi-stage cluster sampling and pun within each cluster by a simple random method. The research tools were the Thought Control Questionnaire of Wells and Matthews (1994), the Test Anxiety questionnaire of Sarason (1957) and Frost et al. (1990) questionnaire on perfectionism. Research results using Pearson's correlation coefficient and the indirect effect (mediator variable) using bootstrap method in Preacher and Hayes’ Macro SPSS program (2004) showed that thought control had a significant effect on perfectionism and perfectionism had a significant effect on test anxiety. However, thought control strategies did not have a significant effect on test anxiety.

Metacognition, rumination and suicidal ideation: An experience sampling test of the self-regulatory executive function model

A relationship between rumination and suicidal ideation is well-evidenced. A role for thought suppression has also been suggested but under-explored. The present study assessed the relative contribution of rumination and a range of thought control strategies in the understanding of suicidal ideation, within the theoretical framework of the self-regulatory executive function (S-REF) model (Wells & Matthews, 2015). Twenty-four participants who had experienced suicidal ideation in the last two months completed trait-level measures of metacognitive beliefs and momentary sampling measures of thought control strategy use, rumination and suicidal ideation over six days. Maladaptive thought control strategy use (worry and punishment), alongside rumination, predicted suicidal ideation. Adaptive strategies (distraction, social control and reappraisal) emerged as negative predictors. Metacognitive beliefs about the need to control thoughts predicted the use of punishment- but not worry-based thought control strategies. Thought control strategy use is as important in the development of suicidal ideation as rumination. The S-REF model represents a promising new approach to understanding these processes in the development of suicidal ideation.

375 Thought Control Strategies and Insomnia Severity in young-adult urban residing African Americans

Abstract Introduction Poor sleep is common in our society, particularly for African Americans. Unwanted, intrusive thoughts at bedtime contribute to sleep disturbances, and the nature of intrusive thoughts may be influenced by perception of threat among people living in stressful urban environments. Research has suggested that strategies to control intrusive thoughts vary in their adaptiveness and may be modifiable. These findings need to be confirmed in populations residing in stressful urban environments where perceived threats contribute to intrusive thoughts.The present study attempts to replicate prior research examining the relationship between thought control strategies and insomnia in urban residing young-adult African Americans. Methods Sixty-three young-adult African Americans completed the Thought Control Questionnaire for Insomnia-Revised and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Results Thought control strategies previously associated with insomnia were significantly correlated with the ISI (aggressive suppression r=0.51, p<0.01 social avoidance r=0.32, p<.01, behavioral distraction r=0.386, p<0.01 and worry r=0.51, p<0.01). We did not find significant associations between the thought control strategy previously associated with healthy sleep and the ISI (cognitive distraction r= 0.20, p>0.05). In a grouped comparison between good sleepers and those with insomnia worry was the only subscale that was endorsed significantly greater among those with insomnia (t(61)=-2.91, p<.05) Conclusion These preliminary data replicate prior findings that suggest that aggressive suppression and worry are maladaptive thought control strategies. in a young-adult African American sample. Future research with a larger sample is needed to identify strategies that can improve sleep in this population. Support (if any) 5R01HL136626 from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Measurement of Unwanted Thought Suppression Strategies with the Thought Control Questionnaire in the General Polish Population: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Validation.

IntroductionAlthough psychological studies have suggested both the desired and paradoxical effects of unwanted thought suppression, we still know little about this mechanism. It has been proposed that individual differences in using specific strategies to suppress intrusions explain why contradictory effects of suppression are observed. The main aims of the study were to investigate the factor structure of the Polish version of Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ) and verify whether this structure corresponds to the original version of the TCQ measurement.MethodsUsing the TCQ, which is a 30-item self-report measure, this research investigated individual thought control strategies to suppress intrusive thoughts in the general population. We used parallel analysis and theoretical interpretability to investigate the most appropriate factor structure of the inventory. To examine the validity of the Polish version of TCQ the correlational analysis of TCQ factors with other psychometric scales: Beck Depression Inventory, The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and The Metacognitions Questionnaire. The internal consistency of the TCQ subscales was also assessed by calculating the Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients for each factor.ResultsThe resulting five-factor solution explained 51.86% of the total variance. The Polish version of TCQ consisted of five subscales yielding satisfactory reliability values: 1) Punishment (α = 0.725); 2) Distraction (α = 0.688); 3) Social Control (α = 0.780); 4) Worry (α = 0.788; 5) Re-appraisal (α = 0.70).ConclusionThe five-factor solution was convergent with the dimensions that appeared in the original TCQ version and were observed in the most TCQ adaptations in various countries. Our findings support the psychological construct of thought-control strategies measured by TCQ and prove the satisfactory reliability of this self-report measure within a Polish population.

Thought control strategies as predictors of borderline personality disorder and suicide risk

BackgroundBorderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by a pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, affect, self-image and is marked by behavioral impulsivity including suicidal ideation and attempts. Additionally, individuals with BPD tend to engage in maladaptive ruminative thinking that is also related to suicidal ideation and attempts. Given these relations, this study aims to understand the 5 strategies of thought control (distraction, punishment, reappraisal, worry, and social control) as predictors of BPD symptoms and suicide risk. MethodsThe sample was collected at a Southeastern University using a convenience sample of undergraduate participants. The final sample (n = 403) had an age range of 18 to 27 (M = 19.67, SD = 1.45), was 74.4% female and 25.6% male, and was primarily Caucasian (69.7%) and African American (24.8%). ResultsResults demonstrate that distraction was negatively associated with BPD and suicide risk while worry and punishment were positively associated with BPD and suicide risk across three different measures of BPD. Social control was negatively associated with suicide risk and BPD but only on one of the BPD measures. Lastly, reappraisal was positively related to BPD symptoms on two measures. LimitationsGiven the sample characteristics, there may be limitations in the generalizability of the findings. ConclusionsThe findings represent a first step towards examining thought control strategies as possible predictors of BPD symptoms and suicide that can inform clinical interventions designed to increase or decrease utilization of these specific strategies.

A moderated mediation model of the link between counterfactual processing at bedtime and insomnia diagnosis: The role of depressive symptoms and nocturnal maladaptive strategies of mental control.

This study investigated the relationship between bedtime counterfactual thoughts, depressive symptoms, nocturnal counterproductive thought-control strategies and insomnia disorder. Six hundred and fifty adults from the general population were recruited and provided data on their counterfactual thoughts' frequency at bedtime, depressive symptoms and use of nocturnal maladaptive strategies of thought control. In addition, all participants followed a face-to-face clinical interview for the diagnosis of insomnia disorder. A model positing moderated mediation was tested using conditional process modelling. Overall, 19% of participants met diagnostic criteria for a chronic insomnia diagnosis. Bootstrapped mediation analyses indicated that the association of bedtime counterfactual processing and insomnia diagnosis is mediated by depressive symptoms (B=0.035, SE=0.007, bootstrapped 95% CI=0.023, 0.051). Furthermore, the effects of such a mediation model were significantly larger among individuals with high levels of aggressive suppression than those with low levels of aggressive suppression (B=0.002, SE=0.001, bootstrapped 95% CI=0.001, 0.004). A second model in which a worry strategy moderates the relationship between bedtime counterfactual processing and depressive symptoms was not statistically significant (B=0.0036, SE=0.013, p=.78). The present study adds to the literature on the importance of self-attacking thoughts and negative affects at bedtime. We recommend the evaluation of the impact of adding self-attacks management strategies to cognitive behavior therapy for individuals with an insomnia disorder.

SUPPRESS OR ACCEPT? A PILOT STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF COPING STRATEGIES ON ERN AMPLITUDE AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE TRAITS

Intrusive thoughts are characteristic of psychological disorders; attempts to cope can become maladaptive perpetuating the problem (e.g., thought suppression), while others can provide long-term symptoms relief (e.g., acceptance). Although emerging research begins to explore the neural correlates of these strategies in healthy population, it is important to explore these strategies in populations more likely to naturally attempt to use such strategies (clinical symptoms). The present study explored if the use of cognitive strategies to manage intrusive cognitions would be differentially reflected in psychophysiological measures (i.e., error-related negativity) of individuals characterized by obsessive-compulsive symptoms -a group commonly associated with suppression efforts- relative to a low OC control. 67 participants with high and low OC symptoms were randomly assigned to cognitive strategy (suppression or acceptance). Participants watched an emotion-eliciting video clip and used the assigned cognitive strategy while performing the Stroop task. EEG data was collected. Consistent with well-established and emerging literature, ERN was enhanced in individuals with high OC symptoms and a marginal effect of thought-control strategy was observed, such that ERN amplitude was reduced in the suppression condition and greater for the acceptance condition. Uniquely, the study expanded on emerging literature by exploring whether the relationship between ERN and cognitive strategies was moderated by OC level. Although results were not conclusive, these preliminary findings represent an important first step to study effects of suppression and acceptance on the ERN in a sample characterized by clinically-relevant symptoms and overall encourage further exploration.

Multiple Relations Among Thought Control Strategies and Symptoms of Personality Disorders with Nightmare

Multiple Relations Among Thought Control Strategies and Symptoms of Personality Disorders with Nightmare

Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Thought Control Strategy and Quality of Life in Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Thought Control Strategy and Quality of Life in Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Neuroticism and Religiosity: The Role of Obsessive Beliefs, Thought-Control Strategies and Guilt in Scrupulosity and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Among Muslim Undergraduates.

Neuroticism and religiosity are distal vulnerability factors for OCD phenomenon. The present study aimed to examine the roles of obsessive beliefs (OBs), thought-control strategies, and guilt in the relationship between these vulnerability factors and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCSs), specifically scrupulosity symptoms in a Muslim sample via SEM. The sample consisted of 273 university students who filled out a set of questionnaires. The results indicated that neuroticism and the degree of religiosity predict OBs that are positively associated with guilt and self-punishment both of which predict scrupulosity and other OCSs. Findings of the present study were discussed in the context of the related literature.

The Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Thought Control Strategies on Pornography Use

The Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation and Thought Control Strategies on Pornography Use

Relations Between Symptoms, Attachment and Thought Control Strategies in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The present study aimed at investigating the affects of attachment and thought control strategies in a clinical sample (OCD patients) in Turkey. For these purposes 101 clinical OCD participants completed questionnaires related to research variables. Experience in Close Relationship Scale (Fraley, Waller & Brennan, 2000) to evaluate attachment, Thought Control Strategies Questionnaire (Wells & Davies, 1994) to evaluate thought control and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Goodman, Price & Rassmussen, 1989) to evaluate OCD symptoms were used in this study. A series of hierarchical analyses were done. Findings of the analyses revealed that there was significant relation between attachment, thought control strategies and OCD symptoms. Moreover, It is seen that there is a mediating role of punishment between the anxiety level of attachment and the severity of obsessive symptom, the mediating role of worry control strategy between the anxiety level of attachment and pathological responsibility symptoms, and the mediating role of social control management between the avoidance level of attachment and avoidance symptom severity.To sum up according to results of this study attachment and control strategies are important to understand OCD symptoms. The results were discussed in the light of the related literature and dependent recommendations to the area were given.

Predicting Marital Adjustment, Sexual Satisfaction, And Psychological Well -being Based On Thought Control Strategies Among Teachers Of Yasuj

Predicting Marital Adjustment, Sexual Satisfaction, And Psychological Well -being Based On Thought Control Strategies Among Teachers Of Yasuj

Thought control strategies predicting pain catastrophizing in normal sample

Thought control strategies predicting pain catastrophizing in normal sample

The Influence of Evaluative Concerns Perfectionism and Post-Event Rumination on Speech Anxiety: The Moderated Mediation Effect of Thought Control Strategy

The Influence of Evaluative Concerns Perfectionism and Post-Event Rumination on Speech Anxiety: The Moderated Mediation Effect of Thought Control Strategy