How to control a white bear? Individual differences involved in self-perceived and actual thought-suppression ability

Abstract

Thought suppression is generally considered a maladaptive mental control strategy, leading to increased intrusions. In the experimental psychopathology literature, thought suppression is assigned a central role in anxiety and depression, disorders characterised by a high level of negative intrusive thoughts. We examined predictors of self-perceived and actual thought suppression ability in an undergraduate sample. It was found that self-perceived suppression ability was predicted by anxiety and depression scores, attentional control, and distraction strategies. Immediate and rebound effects of actual suppression were predicted by depression scores. Interestingly, higher levels of attentional control and distraction were related to more successful thought suppression on the questionnaires, yet were related to increased intrusions during suppression.

Acknowledgements

Ernst Koster is a post-doctorate fellow of the Scientific Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO), Belgium.

The authors thank Pieter Van Volsem and Maarten Bockstaele for their aid in the data collection, and Marieke Dewitte for her thoughtful comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript.