Citation

Allbaugh LJ, Wright MOD, Folger SF. Anxiety Stress Coping 2015; 29(1): 21-37.

Affiliation

a Miami University , 90 North Patterson Avenue, Psychology Building, Room 100 G, Oxford , OH 45056 , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10615806.2015.1015422

PMID

25658168

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Repetitive thought (RT) strategies have been linked to a range of negative outcomes following traumatic interpersonal events but are proposed to serve an adaptive function under particular circumstances. This study examined outcomes following RT within a transdiagnostic framework, and explored the potentially adaptive nature of trait-like and event-related RT.

DESIGN: The centrality of a traumatic event to one's identity was explored as a context under which the adaptive nature of RT might change. Young adults with interpersonal violence experiences (N = 163) reported use of trait-like and event-related RT, centrality of the event, depressive, anxious, and posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, posttraumatic depreciation and posttraumatic growth.

METHOD: Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine main and moderating effects of four types of RT and event centrality on outcome variables.

RESULTS: Centrality positively predicted depressive and PTS symptoms, depreciation and growth. Brooding positively predicted all negative outcomes. Reflecting positively predicted anxious and PTS symptoms and depreciation. Only deliberate RT positively predicted growth. Centrality did not moderate any examined relationships.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the importance of addressing specific types of RT in interventions with survivors and of considering centrality as a robust contributor to outcomes following interpersonal violence.

Language: en