Use Of Worry Research Articles

Effects of cognitive flexibility on dynamics of emotion regulation and negative affect in daily life

ABSTRACT Background Cognitive flexibility is a key factor underlying emotion regulation (ER) and mental health. However, the impact of cognitive flexibility on flexible deployment of ER strategies in changing contexts remains unknown. This study investigated the effects of cognitive flexibility on two noteworthy ER constructs (strategy use and flexibility) and examined downstream impacts on negative affect. Methods Healthy adult participants (N = 202) completed a 10-day experience sampling protocol. Cognitive flexibility, daily ER (including flexibility and ten specific strategies) and negative affect in daily life were measured. We conducted multilevel regression and mediation models to examine associations among cognitive flexibility, daily ER, and negative affect in daily life. Results Higher cognitive flexibility predicted higher ER flexibility – indicated by strategy – situation fit, use of meta-ER skills and between-strategy variability – as well as higher use of reappraisal and problem solving, but lower use of worry. Mediation analyses suggested that enhanced ER flexibility and reduced use of worry linked cognitive flexibility to reduced negative affect. Conclusions Overall, findings have important implications for understanding the effects of cognitive flexibility on rigid versus flexible ER in ever-changing situations.

Emotion regulation difficulties in depression and anxiety: Evidence from the dynamics of strategy use and daily affect

Anxiety and depression are believed to be associated with increased use of maladaptive emotion regulation (ER) strategies and decreased use of adaptive strategies; nonetheless, most work on this topic has been approached using static perspectives on measuring ER, which may overlook the dynamic interplay between ER and emotional experiences. We combined ecological momentary assessment and dynamic structural equation modeling in two independent college-student samples (N1 = 202; N2 = 213) to investigate bidirectional relationships between ER and daily affect. In Study 1, we examined reciprocal associations between negative affect and two ER strategies characterized by repetitive negative thinking (rumination and worry), while in Study 2, we explored reciprocal relationships between both negative and positive affect and two context-dependent and cognitively demanding ER strategies (reappraisal and distraction). We then explored associations of these reciprocal relations with laboratory questionnaires of anxiety and depression. Results indicated both anxiety and depression were associated with greater average negative affect in daily life, greater use of worry, and greater variability in positive affect. However, anxiety was related specifically to difficulties in maintenance of distraction, whereas depression showed unique associations with negative affect inertia, average use of rumination, and difficulties in maintenance of cognitive reappraisal. Findings collectively reveal commonalities and differences in dynamics of ER and daily affect experience related to depression and anxiety. These insights can inform future research into targeted interventions for these negative emotions.

Reduction Of Anxiety In Parting Women With Intervention Hypnosis Five Finger In The Hospital Aura Syifa

In labor often time Also arise flavor worried, panic And Afraid flavor Sick Which outside normal felt by the mother which can interfere with the labor process and result in prolonged labor birthing process. Anxiety in pregnant women if not handled seriously will has physical and psychological impacts and influences, both on the mother and the fetus. Study This use design study pre experimental design with type one groups pretest posttest . With technique purposive sampling obtained sample as much 28 respondent, variable independent hypnosis five finger to decline worry use scale zsas and the dependent variable is mother giving birth. The Wilcoxon statistical test was used. Research results from 28 It was found that most of the respondents felt moderate anxiety respondents with age 20-30 year as much 16 (57.1%) respondents. Whereas on Most of the births that experience anxiety are the first birth. Analysis use test statistics Wilcoxon obtained results “output “ test statistics” is known asymp. sig (2-tall) or mark p worth 0.001. Because mark 0.001 more small from <0.05, so it can be concluded that the "hypothesis is accepted" which means there is a decrease in anxiety Mother gave birth with five finger hypnosis intervention at Aura Syifa Hospital. Anxiety is not can only be treated with pharmacological therapy but can also be treated using non-pharmacological therapy, one of the interventions which is effective in alleviating worry is hypnosis five finger.

Emotional expressions in the Swedish discourse on crime.

Crime and punishment are often described as emotionally-charged fields. The present article aims to concretise this account by addressing how different political actors make use of emotions in distinct ways in order to advance their criminal policy in Sweden. Drawing on sociological research on emotions, I illustrate how the Moderate Party and the Social Democratic Party both make use of worry and (dis)trust in their electoral campaigning. However, the article also shows that the two political parties differ in the ways they encourage the Swedish public to engage emotionally in criminal policy matters which may entail different political effects.

The transdiagnostic use of worry and rumination to avoid negative emotional contrasts following negative events: A momentary assessment study.

The contrast avoidance model (CAM) suggests that individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are sensitive to a sharp increase in negative and/or decrease in positive affect. They thus worry to increase negative emotion to avoid negative emotional contrasts (NECs). However, no prior naturalistic study has examined reactivity to negative events, or ongoing sensitivity to NECs, or the application of CAM to rumination. We used ecological momentary assessment to examine effects of worry and rumination on negative and positive emotion before and after negative events and intentional use of repetitive thinking to avoid NECs. Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) and/or GAD (N=36) or without psychopathology (N=27) received 8 prompts/day for 8 days and rated items on negative events, emotions, and repetitive thoughts. Regardless of group, higher worry/rumination before negative events was associated with less increased anxiety and sadness, and less decreased happiness from before to after the events. Participants with MDD/GAD (vs. controls) reported higher ratings on focusing on the negative to avoid NECs and greater vulnerability to NECs when feeling positive. Results support the transdiagnostic ecological validity for CAM extending to rumination and intentional engagement in repetitive thinking to avoid NECs among individuals with MDD/GAD.

Strategies for Controlling Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts and Insomnia Severity in Urban-Residing Young Adult African Americans

ABSTRACT Introduction Poor sleep is common in our society, particularly for African Americans, and is associated with adverse mental and physical health outcomes. Unwanted, intrusive thoughts contribute to sleep disturbances and can be engendered by living in stressful urban environments, which are disproportionately inhabited by African Americans. Studies of other populations have shown that cognitive coping strategies to manage intrusive thoughts vary in their adaptiveness. Objective To examine the relationship between thought control strategies and insomnia severity in urban residing young-adult African Americans. Method Sixty-four young adult African Americans completed a demographic questionnaire, the Thought Control Questionnaire for Insomnia-revised, and the Insomnia Severity Index. Results There were moderate to strong positive correlations of aggressive suppression, worry, behavioral distraction, and social avoidance with ISI scores. Poor sleepers endorsed greater use of worry and aggressive suppression than good sleepers. Results from a multiple linear regression analysis revealed that aggressive suppression, social avoidance, and behavioral distraction significantly predicted insomnia severity, and aggressive suppression was the strongest predictor in the model. Conclusions These results extend findings of aggressive suppression as a correlate of insomnia severity to an urban-residing young adult African American sample. Future research should identify adaptive approaches and the utility of modifying maladaptive strategies.

Attentional Control Moderates the Relations between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Symptoms.

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU), perceived attentional control (AC), and poor cognitive control abilities are risk factors for anxiety; however, few studies have examined their interactive effects in relation to anxiety. A more complete understanding of interplay between IU, perceived AC, and cognitive control could inform intervention efforts. The current study examined the direct and interactive effects of IU and AC on anxiety in a sample of 280 community outpatients (M age = 36.01 years, SD = 16.17). Perceived AC was measured using self-report and cognitive control abilities were measured using a Go/No-Go task. Findings indicated a significant IU by perceived AC interaction predicting worry and GAD diagnoses. There was a positive relation between IU and worry/GAD diagnoses that was strongest among those with high perceived AC. Perceived AC was unrelated to cognitive control abilities, and cognitive control abilities did not interact significantly with IU. Cognitive control abilities were related to worry symptoms but not to GAD diagnoses. These results indicate that at high levels of perceived AC, individuals with elevated IU report higher levels of worry, potentially due to the conscious use of worry as an emotion regulation strategy. Clinical implications and future directions are discussed.

European Portuguese Validation of the Thought Control Questionnaire Insomnia-Revised (TCQI-R)

Individuals with insomnia complaints often report intrusive thoughts. In this sense, strategies to cope with cognitive arousal are a key topic to be addressed. The TCQI-R is a self-reporting instrument aimed at evaluating the strategies used by individuals to control their thoughts during insomnia episodes. The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the thought control questionnaire insomnia-revised (TCQI-R) for the Portuguese population. In the current study, a community-dwelling sample of 802 participants was recruited, aged between 18 and 66 years, of whom 163 were men and 639 women (80%). The principal component analysis found five components: reappraisal, cognitive distraction, aggressive suppression, worry and behavioral distraction. Both the general questionnaire (α = 0.91) and the components showed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α between 0.74 and 0.84). Through the analyses carried out, it was possible to conclude that the instrument has a good discriminatory capacity between individuals with and without "insomnia". It was also found that the use of worry and aggressive suppression strategies was associated with greater insomnia severity, anxiety, depression, and thought catastrophizing, whereas the use of cognitive distraction strategy was associated with lower severity of insomnia, anxiety, depression, and thought catastrophizing. The results of the current study are in line with the published literature on the TCQI-R. The TCQI-R seems to be a useful tool for the assessment of intrusive thoughts’ control strategies.

Worry as a mediator between psychosocial stressors and emotional sequelae: Moderation by contrast avoidance

BackgroundWorry is the core feature of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which is prevalent among emerging adults. The contrast avoidance model proposes that individuals with GAD use worry to avoid negative emotional contrasts by maintaining a state of negative affect. Research suggests worry in response to stressors increases anxiety, but more research is needed to examine depression as an outcome and the predictions of contrast avoidance in the context of multiple stressor subtypes. The current study examined whether worry may be associated with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression, regardless of stressors, due to the use of worry as an avoidance strategy, moderating these associations. Methods367 undergraduate college students from a medium-sized, public university completed self-report questionnaires online. ResultsWorry significantly mediated the associations from academic stressors and social stressors to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Contrast avoidance significantly moderated associations between academic stressors and worry as well as worry and anxiety. For those high in contrast avoidance, worry was relatively high regardless of academic stressors; for those low in contrast avoidance, students with fewer academic stressors reported less worry. LimitationsThe present study relied on self-report. In addition, the cross-sectional design limits the ability to draw conclusions about temporal relations. ConclusionsContrast avoidance elevated worry regardless of academic stressors, and strengthened the association between worry and anxiety but not worry and depression. Individuals who experience high levels of contrast avoidance may benefit from cognitive interventions focusing on reducing beliefs about the perceived benefits of worry.

Cancer worry frequency vs. intensity and self-reported colorectal cancer screening uptake: A population-based study.

ObjectivesMany studies of cancer worry use items measuring frequency or intensity. Little is known about how each of these relate to cancer screening uptake. This study compared the association between worry frequency vs. intensity and colorectal cancer screening intention/uptake.MethodsAcross four surveys (2014–2016), we collected data from 2878 screening-eligible men and women (aged 60–70) in England. Measures included single-items assessing cancer worry frequency and intensity, and a derived combination of both. We also assessed self-reported past faecal occult blood testing uptake (ever vs. never), intention to participate when next invited (yes vs. no), and demographics. Using logistic regression, we compared a model containing sociodemographic characteristics (Model 1), with four models adding cancer worry frequency (Model 2), intensity (Model 3), both (Model 4), or the combined measure (Model 5).ResultsA model with cancer worry intensity and demographics (Model 3) explained significantly more variance in uptake and intention (R2 = 0.068 and 0.062, respectively) than demographics alone (Model 1: R2 = 0.058 and 0.042; p < 0.001), or a model with demographics and cancer worry frequency (Model 2: R2 = 0.059 and 0.052; p < 0.001). The model was also equally as effective as models including both the frequency and intensity items (Model 4: R2 = 0.070 n.s. and 0.062 n.s.), or using the derived combination of both (Model 5: R2 = 0.063 n.s. and 0.053 n.s.).ConclusionA single item measure of cancer worry intensity appeared to be most parsimonious for explaining variance in colorectal cancer screening intention and uptake.

Thought control strategies in patients with severe obsessive–compulsive disorder: Treatment effects and suicide risk

Individuals with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) often use maladaptive strategies to control intrusive thoughts (e.g., thought suppression) that may paradoxically increase their frequency. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) treatment has been associated with decreased use of these disadvantageous strategies and increased use of advantageous ones. This study examines changes in thought control strategies among patients with severe OCD receiving ERP in an intensive residential setting. Thought suppression has also been associated with suicidality; thus, we tested whether suicide risk moderated changes in thought control from admission to discharge. Consistent with prior research, patients reported decreased use of worry and punishment, and increased use of distraction and social control. Suicide risk moderated changes in the use of distraction, such that high risk patients employed this strategy less frequently at admission, but no group differences remained at discharge. Additionally, only high risk patients increased their use of distraction over treatment. Furthermore, increased use of distraction and decreased use of self-punishment predicted reduced symptoms at discharge. These findings suggest that OCD patients at high risk for suicide may particularly benefit from interventions that facilitate focused distraction from intrusive thoughts. Further, dispositional use of distraction and self-punishment strategies may be worthwhile targets in the treatment of OCD.

Metacognitions mediate HIV stigma and depression/anxiety in men who have sex with men living with HIV.

The study examined whether the relationships between HIV stigma and depression and anxiety would be mediated by metacognitive beliefs and thought control strategies in men who have sex with men living with HIV. Men who have sex with men living with HIV completed an online survey that measured 30-item Metacognitions Questionnaire, thought control strategies (Thought Control Questionnaire), as well as symptoms of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder-7). The relationships between internalised and anticipated HIV stigma with depressive symptoms were mediated by Negative Metacognitive Beliefs and the use of Worry and Social thought control strategies. Negative Metacognitive Beliefs mediated the association between internalised HIV stigma and anxiety symptoms.

Cognitions, metacognitions, and chronic pain.

Although the content of thoughts has received a considerable amount of attention in pain research, the importance of thought processes (metacognitions) has received less attention. One hundred twenty-nine individuals with muscular dystrophy and chronic pain completed measures assessing metacognitions and frequency of both catastrophizing and pain control beliefs. Greater use of reappraisal and distraction metacognitions were associated with more perceived control over pain, whereas greater use of worry and punishment metacognitions were associated with more catastrophizing. The current findings indicate that metacognitions are associated with both pain control beliefs and catastrophizing and therefore may play an important role in the development or maintenance of pain-related cognitive content thought to influence patient functioning. Research is needed to determine whether treatments that encourage changes in both metacognitions and cognitive content are more effective than treatments that focus on cognitive content alone.

Metacognitive Theory and Therapy for Worry and Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Review and Status

The metacognitive model of pathological worry and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) makes a crucial distinction between two types of worry and explains the persistence and uncontrollability of negative thinking as an effect of specific metacognitions. The negative appraisal of worry (meta-worry) and negative beliefs about worry are central to the development of GAD. Furthermore, GAD is associated with paradoxes in mental control such as the use of extended thinking to reduce thinking. Evidence is reviewed that supports major tenets of the model. A specific treatment, metacognitive therapy is described that focuses on modifying metacognitive beliefs and reducing the use of worry to cope with thoughts. The empirical status of the model is reviewed and evidence from recent trials of this treatment is summarized. The treatment appears to be effective and initial trials suggest it is associated with greater levels of recovery than approaches comprised of applied relaxation or cognitive-behavioural treatment focused on intolerance of uncertainty.

Maladaptive Thought Control Strategies in Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, and nonpatient Groups and Relationships with Trait Anxiety

Studies using the Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ) have identified maladaptive thought control typified by worry and punishment. In the present study patterns of thought control strategy used by patients with GAD and MDD were compared with each other and with a group of nonpatient controls. The relationship between individual strategies and psychological vulnerability (trait-anxiety) was also examined. GAD and MDD groups could be distinguished from the control group by greater use of worry as a strategy, while the GAD group also used more punishment than either the MDD or control group. The results show evidence of a preponderance of maladaptive control strategies in these patients. In contrast, the control group used more social control and distraction. Worry was an independent positive predictor of trait-anxiety and distraction was an independent negative predictor. The theoretical implications are discussed in the context of the metacognitive model of psychological disorder.

Thought control strategies as mediators of trauma symptoms in young women with histories of child sexual abuse

The current retrospective study examined thought control strategies, or cognitive techniques individuals use to deal with unpleasant thoughts following stressful events, as potential mediators of adjustment in young women with histories of child sexual abuse (CSA). In a sample of 76 undergraduate women who self-reported on abuse experiences, thought control strategies, and current trauma symptoms, several key findings emerged: (i) Greater severity of the CSA event was associated with greater reported use of worry and punishment strategies and less use of social control strategies; (ii) Increased use of worry and punishment strategies following the CSA event was associated with greater levels of trauma symptoms, while increased use of social control strategies following the CSA event was associated with lower levels of trauma symptoms; and (iii) Worry, punishment, and social control strategies served as mediators between CSA severity and trauma symptoms. The results suggest that thought control strategies, specifically increased worry and punishment, and decreased social control, play a vital role in understanding adjustment after CSA. Future research should examine the roles of these cognitive control strategies as possible avenues of intervention following CSA.

Psychological factors predicting stress symptoms: Metacognition, thought control, and varieties of worry

This study tested predictions of the metacognitive model of post-traumatic stress disorder (Wells, 2000) concerning relationships between stress symptoms and maladaptive control of thoughts. We tested the hypothesis that the tendency to use worry as a means of controlling thoughts will be positively predictive of stress symptoms. In doing so, overlaps with symptomatic worry, stress symptoms, and stress exposure at time 1 was controlled. One hundred and ten (110) college students were assessed twice, over a three-month period. Consistent with predictions, use of worry as a thought control strategy made a significant and independent contribution to the prediction of stress symptoms. The findings provide further support for Wells’ metacognitive model of stress reactions.

Thought suppression mediates the relationship between negative mood and PTSD in sexually assaulted women

Sexually victimized individuals often report chronic attempts to avoid unpleasant internal experiences (e.g., thoughts, emotions, memories) as a means of affect regulation. The aim of this study was to expand upon previous findings by examining the relationships among negative mood, thought suppression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of adult women with a history of sexual assault after age 14 and assault-related intrusions in the past week. Chronic thought suppression partially mediated the relationship between negative mood and PTSD symptom severity after covarying the use of worry to control unpleasant thoughts. Findings extend previous studies and suggest that chronic thought suppression may help explain the link between negative mood and PTSD.

Thought Control Strategies in Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive anxiety and worry that is difficult to control; but methods of thought control among persons with GAD have not been previously investigated. Forty-two patients with GAD and 55 non-anxious controls (NACs) completed the Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ; A. Wells & M. I. Davies, 1994). Patients with GAD reported significantly greater use of worry and punishment strategies, and less use of distraction and social control strategies, than NACs. Further, worry and punishment strategies were positively correlated with depressive symptoms and excessive worry, while distraction and social control strategies were negatively correlated with these measures of psychopathology. Higher life satisfaction was associated with greater use of distraction and social control strategies, and lesser use of worry and punishment strategies.

Thought control strategies in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a replication and extension

Previous research suggests that individuals with OCD use maladaptive strategies to control their unpleasant thoughts (Behav Res Ther (1977) 35, 775). These include worry and self-punishment strategies. In the present study we replicated and extended the previous findings by comparing thought control strategies used by patients with OCD to strategies used by anxious and non-anxious control participants. We also examined changes in thought control strategies for OCD patients who underwent cognitive-behavioral therapy. Compared to controls, OCD patients reported more frequent use of worry and punishment strategies, and less frequent use of distraction. Following successful treatment, OCD patients evidenced increased use of distraction and decreased use of punishment. Findings are discussed in terms of the cognitive model of OCD.