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Predictors and Consequences of Suppressing Obsessional Thoughts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 October 2007

Lee J. Markowitz  and
Christine Purdon
Lee J. Markowitz*
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Christine Purdon
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
*
Reprint requests to Lee Markowitz, Department of Psychology, Colby College, Mayflower Hill Drive, Waterville, MA 04901, USA. E-mail: ljmarkow@colby.edu
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Abstract

Cognitive-behavioral models of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) assert that negative appraisals of obsessional thoughts lead to distress over the thoughts and drive ameliorative actions such as thought suppression and compulsions. These responses in turn play a role in the persistence of the disorder. However, past research has not examined (a) what factors lead individuals to suppress obsessional thoughts; (b) whether certain predictors and consequences relate to suppression uniquely or can be explained by general factors such as negative mood and neuroticism; or (c) individuals' natural active suppression of obsessions. The current study addresses these limitations by examining the roles of natural suppression and distress over thought intrusions in the thought-appraisal/OC symptoms relationship while controlling for general factors. Ninety-one nonclinical participants completed a variety of measures assessing theoretically relevant constructs. After their obsessional thought was primed, they recorded their thoughts for 6 minutes and then rated their suppression effort. Four hours later, longer-term outcomes were assessed. Path analyses supported most components of cognitive-behavioral models.

Keywords

Obsessive-compulsive disorderthought appraisalsthought suppressioncognitive-behavior therapyanxiety
Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 36 , Issue 2 , March 2008 , pp. 179 - 192
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2007

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