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Objective: The present study attempted to explore the psychological experiences of experiential avoidance, thought suppression, meta‐cognition, self‐compassion and body‐checking during two stages of maternity (pregnancy and postpartum) among women embracing maternity for the first time. Methods: The study used a cross sectional correlational design and enrolled 306 women participants who were in their third trimester of pregnancy or of postpartum (pregnant = 154 [50.3%]; postpartum = 152 [49.7%]) with ages ranging between 20 and 35 years (M = 26.62; SD = 2.19). The data was collected using the Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ); Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ); Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ); Self‐Compassion Scale (SCS), and Body‐checking Questionnaire (BCQ). Data was subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS version 21. Results: A significant positive association was observed between experiential avoidance, thought suppression, meta‐cognition, and body‐checking while self‐compassion showed reverse association with these variables. The body‐checking outcome was significantly negatively predicted by self‐compassionate attitude and positively by thought suppression in both groups (i.e., pregnant and postpartum). The experiential avoidance positively predicted body‐checking among women in post‐partum group only. Moreover, a mediating association of experiential avoidance and a moderating effect of self‐compassion (self‐kindness and common humanity) and meta‐cognition (positive beliefs about worry and need to control thought) were also observed to moderate between thought suppression and body‐checking outcomes. Conclusion: The study concluded that experiential avoidance and thought suppression contribute in developing body‐checking behaviors among women who are pregnant or at postpartum stage of maternity. In addition, self‐compassion and meta‐cognition moderate this association with self‐compassion playing potential buffer. Synopsis: Psychological disturbance such as experiential avoidance and thought suppression lead to body‐checking among pregnant and postpartum women while self‐compassion and meta‐cognitions protect against mental outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhibitory control is a fundamental mechanism for adaptive behavior and cognition that features in theories across psychology and cognitive science. Although inhibitory control is thought to regulate processes ranging from actions to memories, most neuroscientific work studies these domains of inhibition separately. Recent crossdomain comparisons have converged on the view that inhibitory control arises from common, domain-general neural mechanisms. We propose that an input inhibition mechanism, acting via fronto-subthalamic inhibitory pathways may contribute to domain-general inhibitory control by suppressing thalamic drive of cortical activity. We argue that β-band activity in local circuits constitutes a potential domain-general signature of inhibitory control. Inhibitory control is a fundamental mechanism underlying flexible behavior and features in theories across many areas of cognitive and psychological science. However, whereas many theories implicitly or explicitly assume that inhibitory control is a domain-general process, the vast majority of neuroscientific work has hitherto focused on individual domains, such as motor, mnemonic, or attentional inhibition. Here, we attempt to close this gap by highlighting recent work that demonstrates shared neuroanatomical and neurophysiological signatures of inhibitory control across domains. We propose that the regulation of thalamocortical drive by a fronto-subthalamic mechanism operating in the β band might be a domain-general mechanism for inhibitory control in the human brain. Inhibitory control is a fundamental mechanism underlying flexible behavior and features in theories across many areas of cognitive and psychological science. However, whereas many theories implicitly or explicitly assume that inhibitory control is a domain-general process, the vast majority of neuroscientific work has hitherto focused on individual domains, such as motor, mnemonic, or attentional inhibition. Here, we attempt to close this gap between by highlighting recent work that demonstrates shared neuroanatomical and neurophysiological signatures of inhibitory control across domains. We propose that the regulation of thalamocortical drive by a fronto-subthalamic mechanism operating in the β band might be a domain-general mechanism for inhibitory control in the human brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In most countries, men are at higher risk than women for suicide death. Research focused on masculinity and men's mental health increasingly demonstrates that relationships between gender and various health outcomes, including suicidality, is complex as these relationships can be further explained by certain psychological processes or health behaviors. The objective of this study was to extend this area of research in a national sample of US men (n = 785) by investigating if their adherence to certain hegemonic masculine gender role norms (toughness and self-reliance through mechanical skills) is associated with the suppression of distressing thoughts and if thought suppression then increases their risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Men in the US who have recently experienced a stressful life event completed an anonymous online survey. Structural Equational Modeling (SEM) was used to test for direct and indirect effects (i.e., mediation) between variables. Men's engagement in thought suppression mediated the relationship between self-reliance and suicidality. The norm of toughness was both directly related to suicidality and mediated by thought suppression. Thought suppression appears to be a process that provides some explanation for the relationships between hegemonic masculine norms and suicidality in men, though this study indicated it may play only a small role. Research continues to build that certain masculine norms, such as self-reliance and toughness, are particularly concerning for men's health. Men's thought suppression mediates the relationship between self-reliance and suicidality Men's toughness impacts suicidality both directly and via engagement in thought suppression These findings have implications for interventions that help men manage distressing thoughts [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current cross-sectional study examined the mediating role of thought suppression and negative urgency in the associations between childhood maltreatment, eating disorder symptoms, and alcohol-related problems in a sample of college students (N = 603). A path model was tested to examine the direct and indirect effects from maltreatment to eating disorder symptoms and alcohol-related problems via thought suppression and negative urgency over and above sex and negative affect. Childhood maltreatment was directly associated with thought suppression (β = 0.09, SE = 0.04, p < 0.05), negative urgency (β = 0.13, SE = 0.04, p < 0.01), and eating disorder symptoms (β = 0.14, SE = 0.05, p < 0.01). The effect of childhood maltreatment on alcohol-related problems was indirect via negative urgency (β = 0.018, CI 95% [0.005, 0.039]). Contrary to hypotheses, the indirect effect of maltreatment on eating disorder symptoms via thought suppression and negative urgency was not significant. The present study identified different pathways from childhood maltreatment to alcohol problems and sheds light on the effects of thought suppression on negative urgency. Although these emotion regulation strategies are often studied in their standalone form, findings suggest that these regulatory mechanisms may co-occur and offer avenues for prevention. What is already known about this topic: Thought suppression and negative urgency have typically been conceptualized as independently occurring forms of emotion dysregulation. Child maltreatment increases risk for developing thought suppression and negative urgency. Thought suppression and negative urgency are associaited with alcohol-related problems and eating disorder symptoms. What this topic adds: The effect of childhood maltreatment on alcohol-related problems was indirect via negative urgency. This study supports the mediating role of thought suppression in the link between child maltreatment and negative urgency. The effect of maltreatment on eating disorder symptoms via thought suppression and negative urgency was not significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is extensive literature on front-line officers and investigators exposure to trauma and its negative impact on them. However, there are analytical practitioners in law enforcement who indirectly work with the traumatic experiences of other people daily, but are seldom the focus of academic research. Objective: Our goal was to conduct the first international study with these practitioners to identify the risk of depression symptoms and establish whether potentially modifiable risk factors (belief in a just world, mental imagery and thought suppression) and work-related characteristics (medium of exposure) are associated with depression. Method: 99 analysts and secondary investigators employed in police and law enforcement organizations from the UK, Europe and Canada participated in the study. The online survey was advertised to employees via their employers but hosted without employer access. Multiple regression was used to analyze the data. Results: After controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, previous exposure to trauma, and marital status, four potential risk factors were identified. Analytical practitioners with vivid mental imagery, those exposed to crime material via auditory and visual means, those who suppressed intrusive thoughts, and those who believed in a just world reported more depressive symptoms. Conclusions: The majority of our sample reported clinical levels of depressive symptoms. Four potential risk factors accounted for just under half of the variance in depression scores. We consider strategies that can be used to mitigate the potential negative influence of these factors and suggest that these are established as risk factors for depression symptoms via future longitudinal research. Analytical practitioners are exposed to aversive crime material on a daily basis. The impact of their work and the individual and work-related risk factors are currently unknown. In this sample, 52% of analytical practitioners had moderate depression symptoms, and 37% had severe depression symptoms. Modality of exposure (both auditory and visual exposure), belief in a just world, thought suppression, and mental imagery are potential modifiable risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTBackground: There is extensive literature on front-line officers and investigators exposure to trauma and its negative impact on them. However, there are analytical practitioners in law enforcement who indirectly work with the traumatic experiences of other people daily, but are seldom the focus of academic research.Objective: Our goal was to conduct the first international study with these practitioners to identify the risk of depression symptoms and establish whether potentially modifiable risk factors (belief in a just world, mental imagery and thought suppression) and work-related characteristics (medium of exposure) are associated with depression.Method: 99 analysts and secondary investigators employed in police and law enforcement organizations from the UK, Europe and Canada participated in the study. The online survey was advertised to employees via their employers but hosted without employer access. Multiple regression was used to analyze the data.Results: After controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, previous exposure to trauma, and marital status, four potential risk factors were identified. Analytical practitioners with vivid mental imagery, those exposed to crime material via auditory and visual means, those who suppressed intrusive thoughts, and those who believed in a just world reported more depressive symptoms.Conclusions: The majority of our sample reported clinical levels of depressive symptoms. Four potential risk factors accounted for just under half of the variance in depression scores. We consider strategies that can be used to mitigate the potential negative influence of these factors and suggest that these are established as risk factors for depression symptoms via future longitudinal research.

Focused-distraction strategies are commonly used for thought control, but their effectiveness in handling personal worries with different types of distractors has rarely been examined. To examine this issue, 101 undergraduate and graduate students whose depression levels fell below mild depression were recruited (64.4% female, Mage = 20.27) and were randomly assigned to one of the three strategy conditions: 34 participants for the focused-breathing strategy (FBS), 34 for the focused-positive-distractor strategy (FPS), and 33 for the focused-neutral-distractor strategy (FNS). After a short introduction and practice, they applied the assigned strategy during a 5-min worry control session to prevent thoughts regarding a recent worrying event. The number of worry intrusions was measured using an online self-caught method. Participants rated their emotional states before and after the worry control session. Their working memory capacities (WMCs) and depressive tendency were comparable across conditions. The results showed the FBS and FPS groups exhibited fewer worry intrusions than did the FNS group. Furthermore, worry intrusions were negatively related to WMC for the FNS group but independent of WMC for the other two. The above findings together indicate that the FBS and FPS are relatively effective and effortless methods for reducing worry intrusions. Negative emotions decreased after the worry control session for all groups. However, decoupling of negative emotions from worry intrusions was only observed for the FBS and FNS groups. Overall, FBS outperforms FPS and FNS in managing worries from the above aspects. Several theoretical and practical implications of the study were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study tested a hypothesised model of the effects of adverse life events on the mental health of middle‐aged and older adults living alone, as mediated by thought suppression and help‐seeking behaviours, considering gender differences. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of 1202 (622 men; 580 women) individuals from 247445 residents aged 50–79 in District A of Tokyo. The questionnaire items covered parameters on adverse life events, help‐seeking behaviour, thought suppression, and mental health status. Results: Multiple group structural equation‐modelling analysis revealed that the seriousness of adverse life events, help‐seeking behaviours, and mental health scores were higher in women than in men. No significant gender differences were observed in thought suppression. The findings support all three proposed hypotheses: severe adverse life events will: (a) give rise to help‐seeking behaviours, which will have a positive effect on mental health; (b) intensify thought suppression, which will harm mental health; and (c) inhibit help‐seeking behaviour, especially in single middle‐aged and older adult men. Conclusion: There is a need to develop interventional programs based on the theory of replacement thinking to encourage help‐seeking behaviours in middle‐aged and older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we investigated the role of desire thinking in problematic social media use (PSMU) whilst accounting for negative affect, impulsivity, and thought suppression. A sample of individuals with PSMU (n = 350) who used social media at least 8 h daily was recruited. Participants completed measures of negative affect, impulsivity, thought suppression, craving, desire thinking, and PSMU. Results indicated that negative affect, impulsivity, and thought suppression had significant indirect effects on craving and PSMU through the significant mediating role of desire thinking. The present study shows that desire thinking is an underlying mechanism linking established variables associated with PSMU (negative affect, impulsivity, and thought suppression) to craving and PSMU. Focusing efforts on the interruption of desire thinking may be beneficial to support individuals in disengaging from PSMU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Substance use disorder (SUD) is a significant issue in the United States, characterized by chronic relapse following periods of abstinence. One of the primary precursors to relapse is craving. Findings from several studies have shown a negative association between trait mindfulness and craving in clinical samples; however, further research is needed to understand mechanisms underlying this relationship. Purpose/Objectives: The current study assessed thought suppression as a partial mediator of the relationship between trait mindfulness and craving. Methods: The current study used data from a previous randomized controlled trial of adults (N = 244) enrolled in community-based treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). Results: Analyses showed a significant moderate positive association between thought suppression and craving, a significant moderate negative association between thought suppression and trait mindfulness, and a significant moderate negative association between trait mindfulness and craving. Subsequent analyses confirmed a partial mediating role of thought suppression in the relationship between trait mindfulness and craving, indicating the inverse relationship between trait mindfulness and craving was partially explained by thought suppression. Conclusions/importance: These findings may inform treatment for SUD. Specifically, targeting thought suppression through mindfulness-based treatment approaches may be a mechanism through which craving can be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exercise-induced pain and exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) are well described phenomena involving physiological and cognitive mechanisms. Two experiments explored whether spontaneous and instructed mindful monitoring (MM) were associated with reduced exercise-induced pain and unpleasantness, and increased EIH compared with spontaneous and instructed thought suppression (TS) in pain-free individuals. Eighty pain-free individuals participated in one of two randomized crossover experiments. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed at the leg, back and hand before and after 15 min of moderate-to-high intensity bicycling and a non-exercise control condition. Exercise-induced pain and unpleasantness were rated after bicycling. In experiment 1 (n=40), spontaneous attentional strategies were assessed with questionnaires. In experiment 2, participants (n=40) were randomly allocated to use either a TS or MM strategy during bicycling. In experiment 1, the change in PPTs was significantly larger after exercise compared with quiet rest (p<0.05). Higher spontaneous MM was associated with less exercise-induced unpleasantness (r=−0.41, p<0.001), whereas higher spontaneous TS was associated with higher ratings of exercise-induced unpleasantness (r=0.35, p<0.05), but not with pain intensity or EIH. In experiment 2, EIH at the back was increased in participants using instructed TS compared with participants using instructed MM (p<0.05). These findings suggest that spontaneous and presumably habitual (or dispositional) attentional strategies may primarily affect cognitive-evaluative aspects of exercise, such as feelings of exercise-induced unpleasantness. MM was related to less unpleasantness, whereas TS was related to higher unpleasantness. In terms of brief experimentally-induced instructions, TS seems to have an impact on physiological aspects of EIH; however, these preliminary findings need further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe mental disorder causing high individual and societal costs. The use of maladaptive emotion regulation (ER) strategies has been identified as a potential contributing factor. This meta-analysis aimed to quantify the associations between PTSD symptoms and rumination, thought suppression and experiential avoidance. The systematic literature search resulted in 5574 studies, 75 of which were included in the analysis. From those eligible studies 189 effect sizes were obtained. For symptoms of posttraumatic stress, large effects were found for associations with rumination (r =.52) and experiential avoidance (r =.48), whereas a medium effect size was found for thought suppression (r =.29). With respect to different PTSD symptom clusters, associations ranged between r =.35 and r =.41 for associations with intrusive re-experiencing, between r =.39 and r =.41 for associations with avoidance, between r =.50 and r =.53 for associations with alterations in cognitions and mood and between r =.41 and r =.45 for associations with alterations in arousal and activity. Few available studies provide some evidence that associations might be somewhat reduced but still substantial in longitudinal compared to cross-sectional studies. These findings provide valuable targets for future investigations with the long-term goal of improving targeted interventions for the prevention and treatment of PTSD symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delinquency is one of the problems of adolescence that can cause disruption of social order and serious problems for the individual, family, and community, and several factors are involved in its occurrence. This study aimed to predict multidimensional delinquency based on emotional development and thought suppression and to investigate the role of gender moderation. The research method was descriptive and correlational. The statistical population included all high school students in Kashan in the academic year 2020-2021, of which 90 students were studied by the convenience sampling method. Data collection with multidimensional delinquency questionnaires (Sahami et al., 1396), emotional development (Singh and Bahargawa, 1974), and the White Bear Suppression Inventory (Wegner and Zanakas, 1994). Results of Simultaneous-entry regression analysis showed that both the variables of emotional development (β=0.45) and thought suppression (β=0.24) can predict multidimensional delinquency in adolescents. The role of gender in the relationship between emotional development and thought suppression and delinquency were also confirmed; This means that the effect of these two variables on delinquency is different in girls and boys, and in boys, it predicts 36% of thought suppression and 41% of emotional deprivation of delinquency, and in girls, it predicts 49% of delinquency. It should be noted that the thought suppression variable in the group of girls was not able to predict multidimensional delinquency. Finally, by taking advantage of these results and providing training on strengthening emotional development and adaptive strategies to deal with stress and tension, a big step can be taken to reduce delinquency in adolescents.‌Keywords Multidimensional Delinquency, Emotional Maturity, Thought Suppression, Gender.‌‌IntroductionNowadays, delinquency and behavioural disorders have become the most important issues in the field of youth and adolescents (Kouhbanani nejad & Sanatkhah, 2019) and many factors are effective in its occurrence, but one of the main dimensions that have a profound effect on other aspects is the psychological dimension (Dadsetan, 2011). Emotional maturity is one of these psychological assets (Rafidali, 2017) which refers to the ability to facilitate and guide emotional desires to achieve the desired goals (Yousef et al., 2011) and since delinquency usually follows a kind of emotional turmoil; This structure, which helps people to manage emotions and make appropriate decisions and actions, can also reduce the likelihood of delinquent behaviour (Firoozi, 2017(.On the other hand, suppression of thoughts is one of the coping styles of individuals to regulate emotions and thoughts (Spada and Wells, 2005) and in that person seeks to remove undesirable thoughts; But psychological evidence suggests that this practice can lead to increased self-criticism, anxiety, and anxiety, as well as a greater tendency toward norm-breaking behaviours following unsuccessful attempts to suppress thoughts.In addition, the findings of some studies indicate that there are gender differences in committing crimes such as substance abuse, alcohol, etc. (Picoito et al., 2019), so it is important to pay attention to the issue of gender in the study of deviant and delinquent behaviours. Finally, considering the importance of identifying the causes and roots of delinquency and considering the contradictory results regarding gender differences in the occurrence of delinquent behaviours, the present study seeks to answer the question of whether emotional maturity and the tendency to suppress the ability to predict multidimensional delinquency in adolescents has it? And does gender play a moderating role in this regard?. MethodologyThe present study was a descriptive correlational study and its statistical population included all high school students in Kashan in the academic year 1400-99, of which 90 (45 girls and 45 boys) (based on Fidell and Tabachnick formulas) were sampled. Data was collected by multidimensional delinquency questionnaires (Sahami et al., 2017), Emotional Maturity Scale (Singh and Bahargawa, 1991) and White Bear Suppression Inventory (Wegner & Zanakos, 1994) in two sections of a descriptive and inferential model (simultaneous regression) SPSS22 software was analyzed. FindingsThe results of regression analysis showed that predictor variables predict a total of 35% of delinquency variance in adolescents. Regarding the role of gender, the results of regression analysis showed that in the group of girls, only emotional maturity (β = 0.49) and in the group of boys, both variables of emotional maturity (β = 0.41) and suppression of thoughts (β = 0.36) were significantly delinquent. Predicts. The resulting coefficients of explanation also show that in the regression equation, in the group of boys, the research variables are explained as a total of 45% and in girls, 30% of the variance of delinquency. ResultThe results of this study showed the significant role of emotional maturity and thought suppression in predicting delinquency. Regarding the prediction of emotional maturity, it can be said that since in the phenomenon of delinquency, inability to control impulse and extreme tendency to express undesirable emotions are seen as significant symptoms, this can indicate emotional immaturity in the person and his weakness in management. Correct positive and negative emotions. The adult behaves emotionally by accepting social values and norms, does not act under the flow of irresponsible emotions, does not waste his energy and time on imaginary problems, and has characteristics such as self-control, kindness, empathy, cooperation, tolerance, and emotional stability (Segal and Sawhney, 2018). Thus, emotional deprivation in this way can reduce the tendency of delinquency in individuals.Regarding thought suppression, research has shown that in crimes such as substance abuse, alcohol, and smoking, despite the person's efforts to stay away from thoughts related to this behaviour, especially when there are certainly motivating factors, these thoughts still invade their minds. Suppression of thought increases physiological activity, activates negative needs and emotions in the individual and impairs inhibitory control (Purdon, 2020). As a person loses control of his or her control, he or she is more likely to engage in immoral and delinquent behaviours following thoughts about it.In examining the role of gender, the findings showed that in girls only the variable of emotional maturity and in boys both variables of emotional maturity and suppression of thoughts can predict delinquency. Explaining this result, it can be said that in girls, emotional maturity and emotional management and the ability to delay needs - rather than suppressing thoughts - have a greater effect on reducing the tendency to delinquency. On the other hand, more communication between girls and their emotional expression can cause emotional exhaustion, and expressing their thoughts and mental concerns with others can in turn prevent them from being repressed. Also, thinking and consulting with others can be an alternative to inappropriate strategies- including expressing violence, breaking the law, smoking, etc.- against negative thoughts and feelings.

In this study, we examined the conditional indirect and direct relations of pain-related cognitions to depression. Subjective helplessness was included as presumably mediating the relations of catastrophizing and thought suppression to depression due to motivational deficits. In addition, moderating effects of dispositional action versus state orientation were analyzed, whereby state orientation indicates volitional deficits in coping with distress. The study was based on self-report data from 536 patients with chronic non-specific low back pain at the beginning of inpatient rehabilitation. Moderated mediation analyses were performed. The indirect catastrophizing- and thought suppression-depression relations were (partially) mediated by subjective helplessness; and moderated by failure-related action versus state orientation. Moreover, action versus state orientation moderated the direct relation of thought suppression to depression. Results suggest that catastrophizing, thought suppression, and subjective helplessness do not lead to depression unless associated with self-regulatory inability (i.e., state orientation). In contrast, action-oriented patients more effectively self-regulate pain-related emotions, disengage from rumination, and distract from pain and thus better avoid the debilitating effects of negative pain-related cognitions on depression. Future research and treatment may more strongly focus on the role of motivational and volitional deficits underlying learned helplessness and depression in chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Negative content in hearing voices (i.e., auditory verbal hallucinations) has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes including voice‐related distress. Voice appraisals and responding mindfully to voices are theorized to reduce voice‐related distress. This study aimed in examine mediators of the negative content voice‐related distress relationship in clinical (those who recently received input from mental health services) and non‐clinical voice‐hearers. Methods: One hundred and twenty‐one adults (71.9% female; 35.5% mixed or non‐white ethnic background) who hear voices were recruited online and completed self‐report measures of negative content of voices, voice‐related distress, mindfulness of voices, interpretation of loss of control, thought suppression and intrusion. Results: Clinical voice‐hearers had significantly higher levels of negative content, voice‐related distress and interpretation of loss of control than non‐clinical voice‐hearers. A mindful approach to voices and interpretation of loss of control mediated the relationship between negative content and voice‐related distress across the whole sample. Thought suppression and intrusion did not mediate the relationship. Conclusions: The results support the use of mindfulness‐based psychological intervention to reduce voice‐related distress. Further development of valid and reliable measures specifically relating to constructs of voice content, voice‐related distress and voice suppression will support further research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During Ramadan, people of Muslim faith fast by not eating or drinking between sunrise and sunset. This is likely to have physiological and psychological consequences for fasters, and societal and economic impacts on the wider population. We investigate whether, during this voluntary and temporally limited fast, reminders of food can impair the fasters' reaction time and accuracy on a non-food-related test of cognitive control. Using a repeated measures design in a sample of Ramadan fasters (N = 190), we find that when food is made salient, fasters are slower and less accurate during Ramadan compared with after Ramadan. Control participants perform similarly across time. Furthermore, during Ramadan performances vary by how recently people had their last meal. Potential mechanisms are suggested, grounded in research on resource scarcity, commitment, and thought suppression, as well as the psychology of rituals and self-regulation, and implications for people who fast for religious or health reasons are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mindfulness is a conscious state of awareness shown to be effective in emotion regulation and thought suppression in stressful circumstances. Yet little research has evaluated the effects of mindfulness on cognitive-emotion regulation and thought suppression. The present study aims to understand the association between mindfulness, cognitive emotion regulation, and thought suppression. We have utilized three standardized measures: the Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, and the White Bear Suppression Index. 133 (aged 20-60) participants from 16 countries were recruited using snowball sampling. We hypothesized that 1) mindfulness would negatively correlate with thought suppression, 2) mindfulness would negatively correlate with "negative cognitive emotion regulation techniques," and positively with "positive cognitive emotion regulation techniques." And 3) thought suppression would negatively correlate with "positive cognitive emotion regulation techniques" and positively with "negative cognitive emotion regulation techniques." Our results revealed that mindfulness positively correlates with thought suppression. Secondly, mindfulness positively correlated with only one positive cognitive emotion regulation technique, whereas it is negatively correlated with all the negative cognitive emotion regulation techniques. Lastly, thought suppression is negatively correlated with positive cognitive emotion regulation techniques and positively correlated with negative cognitive emotion regulation techniques. The results suggest that the state of mindfulness could help understand the regulation of emotions adaptively and the tendency to suppress thoughts. Although this is a correlation study and provides associations between the variables, it helps us gain insight into the possible benefits of mindfulness, which can be further explored through future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Clinical fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is highly prevalent among breast cancer patients and appears early in the disease trajectory. A better understanding of psychological factors associated with clinical FCR is essential to guide screening and intervention development. This cross‐sectional study aimed to assess the contribution of attentional bias, intrusive thoughts, metacognitive beliefs, intolerance of uncertainty, thought suppression, and worry to clinical FCR in breast cancer patients in the early survivorship period. Methods: Seventy‐four patients treated for non‐metastatic breast cancer were enrolled at the end of their treatment. The FCR Inventory‐Short Form (FCRI‐SF) was used to discriminate between the patients with clinical versus nonclinical FCR. Attentional bias to negative and positive cancer‐related and non‐cancer‐related emotional words was assessed with a dot‐probe task. Words were presented for 17, 500, and 1500 ms. Intrusive thoughts and thought suppression were assessed with the White Bear Suppression Inventory, metacognitive beliefs with the Metacognitions Questionnaire‐30, intolerance of uncertainty with the Intolerance of Uncertainty Inventory‐Part A, and worry with the Penn State Worry Questionnaire. Results: According to univariate analyses, the patients with clinical FCR (FCRI‐SF ≥13) significantly differed from those with nonclinical FCR in terms of intrusive thoughts (p = 0.002), metacognitive beliefs (p = 0.029), intolerance of uncertainty (p < 0.001), and worry (p < 0.001). Intolerance of uncertainty (odds ratio, OR = 1.06; p = 0.040) and worry (OR = 1.09; p = 0.013) remained in the final logistic regression models. All the patients showed vigilance to cancer‐related words, whether with negative or positive valence, at automatic stages of processing (17 ms). Conclusions: Intolerance of uncertainty and worry were the two psychological factors contributing directly to clinical FCR in our cross‐sectional study. In addition, attentional bias did not differentiate breast cancer patients with clinical versus nonclinical FCR. Treatment approaches for clinical FCR in early survivorship care may need to integrate uncertainty and worry management intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desire thinking is an emerging construct in the addictive behaviours literature. No research, to date, has investigated its contribution to problematic alcohol use and nicotine dependence in patient samples when accounting for established predictors of addictive behaviours. The present study sought to clarify, in patient samples, the relative contribution of desire thinking in the associations between negative affect, impulsivity and thought suppression on the one hand and craving, problematic alcohol use and nicotine dependence on the other. To achieve this goal, two groups of individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) (n = 370; age range = 15–67 years) and nicotine dependence (n = 365; age range = 17–75 years) were selected, and measures of negative affect, impulsivity, thought suppression, craving, desire thinking, problematic alcohol use and nicotine dependence were completed by both groups. Results showed that in both groups, negative affect and thought suppression indirectly affected alcohol and nicotine craving, problematic alcohol use and nicotine dependence through the mediating role of desire thinking. The present study shows the independent role of desire thinking in predicting problematic alcohol use and nicotine dependence in patient samples, indicating its potential relevance for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research indicates that social media use can lead to addiction, fear of missing out, higher stress levels, anxiety, and experiencing symptoms typical of depression. The purpose of the present study was to conduct a Polish adaptation of the Social Media Escapism Scale and to assess its associations with fear of missing out, Facebook addiction, thought suppression, and the experience of stress, anxiety, and symptoms typical of depression. Two studies were conducted, the first adaptive and the second testing associations. The first study included 383 participants aged 18 to 63 (M = 23.51; SD = 5.7). To adapt the scale, the following were used: the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale, the fear of missing out Scale, and the demographic questionnaire. The second study included 417 participants aged 18 to 60 (M = 26.33; SD = 9.7). The study tested relationships using the same three scales used in the first study, and also Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale, and the White Bear Suppression Scale. The Polish version of the Social Media Escapism Scale revealed a univariate structure with strong internal consistency (α = .91). The adapted scale was associated with fear of missing out and Facebook addiction. In study 2, the structural equation modeling analyses revealed that fear of missing out, Facebook addiction and escapism were positively related to thought suppression and the experience of anxiety, stress, and depression symptoms. In addition, thought suppression partially mediated the relationship between harmful media use and anxiety, stress, and depression. Furthermore, the findings reveal a positive correlation between escapism and several psychological constructs, including fear of missing out, Facebook addiction, as well as aspects of depression and suppression, thereby lending support to the convergent validity of the adapted measure under investigation. The results can be used in psychological intervention and developing support and treatment programs for social network addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are two main thought suppression research paradigms: the White Bear and Think/No-Think paradigms. In Think/No-Think research, thought suppression is effective and is considered to be mediated by prepotent response inhibition. Conversely, in White Bear studies, thought suppression is counterproductive and appears to engage resistance to proactive interference. However, findings regarding the involvement of these executive functions in each task are mixed. In the current study, two thought suppression procedures were compared. Using Friedman and Miyake's inhibitory functions model (2004) it was investigated whether the differences between thought suppression tasks can be explained by involvement of different executive functions. The results showed that the suppression phases of both procedures were correlated, but the outcomes of suppression were unrelated. There was no evidence supporting the involvement of the examined executive functions in either thought suppression task. Commonalities and discrepancies of the two tasks are discussed along with their external validity., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Research indicates that social media use can lead to addiction, fear of missing out, higher stress levels, anxiety, and experiencing symptoms typical of depression. The purpose of the present study was to conduct a Polish adaptation of the Social Media Escapism Scale and to assess its associations with fear of missing out, Facebook addiction, thought suppression, and the experience of stress, anxiety, and symptoms typical of depression. Two studies were conducted, the first adaptive and the second testing associations. The first study included 383 participants aged 18 to 63 (M = 23.51; SD = 5.7). To adapt the scale, the following were used: the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale, the fear of missing out Scale, and the demographic questionnaire. The second study included 417 participants aged 18 to 60 (M = 26.33; SD = 9.7). The study tested relationships using the same three scales used in the first study, and also Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale, and the White Bear Suppression Scale. The Polish version of the Social Media Escapism Scale revealed a univariate structure with strong internal consistency (α = .91). The adapted scale was associated with fear of missing out and Facebook addiction. In study 2, the structural equation modeling analyses revealed that fear of missing out, Facebook addiction and escapism were positively related to thought suppression and the experience of anxiety, stress, and depression symptoms. In addition, thought suppression partially mediated the relationship between harmful media use and anxiety, stress, and depression. Furthermore, the findings reveal a positive correlation between escapism and several psychological constructs, including fear of missing out, Facebook addiction, as well as aspects of depression and suppression, thereby lending support to the convergent validity of the adapted measure under investigation. The results can be used in psychological intervention and developing support and treatment programs for social network addiction., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

The objective of the present study was to investigate whether an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based web-intervention (Group 1, CareACT), or a standardized rehabilitation in a rehabilitation center (Group 2) was effective in enhancing the psychological well-being of family caregivers aged 60 and over compared to support provided by voluntary caregiver associations (Group 3). Altogether, 149 family caregivers participated in this quasi-experimental study. Primary outcome measure was depression. Secondary outcomes included anxiety, sense of coherence, quality of life, psychological flexibility, experiential avoidance, and thought suppression. The questionnaires were administered at baseline, and four, and 10 months post-measurement. We investigated differences in the changes between the groups using Mplus modeling techniques. Regarding the main outcome of depression, the results suggest that the CareACT intervention was superior to standardized rehabilitation and to the support given by caregiver associations at four months, both showing a medium-sized difference between the groups. However, the change from four to 10 months post-intervention was not significantly different between these groups (d = 0.32–0.36). Thought suppression showed a significantly different change between the three groups from baseline to four months and to 10 months post-measurement (p =.038). Web-based ACT may have beneficial effects on depressive symptoms and thought suppression in older caregivers. Web-based ACT could be a feasible alternative to institutional rehabilitation and support provided by voluntary caregiver associations. Web-based ACT responds flexibly to the needs of caregivers and provides them an opportunity for learning new skills to promote well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thought suppression, which is defined as an effort "not to think about" a particular thought, is essential to maintain good mental health. Despite previous functional imaging studies on thought suppression and related functional activity, the neural basis of thought suppression in individual difference is still unclear. Many studies have focused on the relationship between neuroticism and thought suppression; however, the neural basis of this relationship is not well known. Thus, in the present study, we investigated the neural basis of thought suppression and further explored the neural mechanisms underlying the relationship between neuroticism and thought suppression. The first step was to use voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to investigate the neuroanatomical basis of thought suppression in healthy subjects. We found a significant positive correlation between thought suppression and the gray matter volume (GMV) of the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG). The second step was to use resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) to investigate the neural functional basis of thought suppression. The results showed that thought suppression was positively correlated with rsFC between the right SFG and the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG). Interestingly, the relationship between neuroticism and thought suppression was mediated by the strength of rsFC between the right SFG and the left MTG. The results suggest that better ability to suppress unwanted intrusive thoughts is supported by greater GMV of the right SFG and stronger functional connectivity between the SFG and MTG. They also indicate that weak rsFC between the SFG and MTG can partly explain the negative association between neuroticism and thought suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We meta‐analytically examined correlations between task‐based and self‐report thought control measures as well as potential moderators. Results of a frequentist meta‐analysis indicate that the two measures do not overlap, r =.07, 95% CI [−0.01;0.15] (k = 20; N = 1194); subgroup analyses for different self‐report measures r =.12; 95% CI [−0.06;0.30] and r =.03, 95% CI [−0.05;0.11], respectively. Additionally, we found no evidence for the presence of moderators. To further test whether the identified effect size is more consistent with a null effect or the assumption of a positive association, robust Bayesian meta‐analyses were conducted. We did not obtain sufficiently strong evidence to decide for or against a null effect. In sum, our findings suggest that task‐based and self‐report thought control measures might capture different psychological processes and thus call for more research on the different underlying processes and constructs they measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One aim of moral education is to help society progress from morally imperfect conventions towards more perfect ones. According to a popular view, reflecting judgment is the vehicle of this progress. In this paper, I argue that although reflection is important, it is not enough; moral development also requires practical synthesis. Moral development takes place by securing new connections—conceptual, affective, volitional and behavioural—that bring thoughts, feelings, motivations and actions into alignment with higher reason, to instantiate respect for all who are ends in themselves. Constructing parallels from Kant's theoretical philosophy, I identify three kinds of synthesis that are central to moral practice. If I am right, then a key task for moral education is to support the development of these capacities of practical synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Food Thought Suppression Inventory (FTSI) is a 15-item measure to assess cognitive suppression related to food. The present study aimed to: 1) study the original 15-item FTSI in both women and men through item response theory (IRT), using a graded response model; 2) replicate the factor structure obtained previously in a women sample and test the measurement invariance across body mass index (BMI) groups. In Study 1 (N = 434), the IRT model resulted in an 11-item FTSI shortened version that was equivalent across a community sample of women and men. The original FTSI was highly correlated with the FTSI short version. The short version also presented comparable correlations as the original scale in relation to body image cognitive fusion, psychological flexibility and eating psychopathology. In Study 2 (N = 435), confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the FTSI short version fitted the data well among women with normal weight and those with overweight/obesity, with the measure demonstrating invariance across both groups. These findings indicate that the FTSI short version, comprising the highest quality items, is a reliable and valid measure to assess food thought suppression in both women and men, and maintains the same factorial structure across women's BMI groups. Clinical implications were addressed. • Thought suppression is a cognitive process with rebound effects. • Avoid food thoughts is measured by the Food Thought Suppression Inventory (FTSI). • The psychometric properties of the FTSI were tested using item response theory. • The FTSI short version is a reliable and valid measure. • The FTSI short version can be used in both women and men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has demonstrated that depression moderates the relationship between chronic thought suppression and brooding, which is a maladaptive rumination style. To investigate the reproducibility of this phenomenon, a conceptual replication was conducted. The results revealed that the level of depression moderates the association between suppression and brooding; the more severe the depression, the stronger the association between thought suppression and brooding. Therefore, the moderation effect of depression was successfully replicated. The results also revealed that depression moderates the relationship between suppression and reflection, which is an adaptive rumination style. The study suggests directions for future research on thought suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by repeated attempts to suppress obsessive-intrusive thoughts (OITs). Nonclinical individuals also regularly engage in thought suppression. Attempts to suppress OITs are often unsuccessful and there is wide variation in suppression abilities across nonclinical and clinical samples. Understanding the mechanisms that explain variations in suppression abilities could enhance our understanding of OCD. This study aimed to investigate one potential mechanism - working memory - using a comprehensive thought suppression task.Methods: Eighty-three nonclinical participants completed a computerized thought dismissibility task (in which they replaced an obsessive-intrusive thought with a neutral thought), and a computerized working memory task. Participants also completed measures of OCD and negative mood.Results: None of the suppression variables (OIT frequency, mean OIT duration, mean latency to return, total OIT duration) were correlated with working memory capacity. Obsessive-compulsive symptoms were correlated with total OIT duration, but the relationship was not significant after controlling for negative mood.Limitations: The thought dismissibility task does not account for differences in motivation to suppress OITs. The sample was non-clinical and mostly female.Conclusion: An individual's ability to suppress OITs is not associated with their working memory capacity, suggesting poor working memory does not explain persistent OITs in individuals with OCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing attentional focus away from pain can affect pain experience, suggesting that cognitive strategies that move attentional allocation may be a moderator of pain. In a pre-post-design, the present study examined the effects of 2 cognitive strategies used in pain contexts, thought suppression and focused distraction, on subsequent pain-related attention. Thought suppression was hypothesized to increase pain-related attention, whereas focused distraction was expected to reduce it. Influences of both anxiety and sex were also considered, as secondary questions. 139 (86 women, 53 men) healthy, pain-free participants were randomly assigned to use either thought suppression or focused distraction during a mild cold pressor test (CPT). Pain-related attention was examined using a dot-probe and an attentional blink task, pre-and post-CPT. Questionnaires about relevant cognitive and emotional aspects, demographics, and pain were completed. Results showed no difference in the effect of the 2 pain inhibition strategies on pain-related attention. The hypothesized rebound effect in thought suppression on pain-related attention did not emerge. However, thought suppression showed a short-term benefit in comparison to focused distraction regarding reported pain and perceived threat during the cold pressor test. Few sex differences were found. Thus, the cognitive strategies affected pain outcomes, but did not influence pain-related attention. PERSPECTIVE: Cognitive strategies could help with pain through changing attention allocation. In this study, the effects of the 2 cognitive strategies thought suppression and focused distraction on pain-related attention in men and women were examined. Elucidating mechanisms that lie behind pain strategies that focus on changing attention may help improve treatments., (Copyright © 2022 United States Association for the Study of Pain, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Focused-distraction strategies are commonly used for thought control, but their effectiveness in handling personal worries with different types of distractors has rarely been examined. To examine this issue, 101 undergraduate and graduate students whose depression levels fell below mild depression were recruited (64.4% female, M age  = 20.27) and were randomly assigned to one of the three strategy conditions: 34 participants for the focused-breathing strategy (FBS), 34 for the focused-positive-distractor strategy (FPS), and 33 for the focused-neutral-distractor strategy (FNS). After a short introduction and practice, they applied the assigned strategy during a 5-min worry control session to prevent thoughts regarding a recent worrying event. The number of worry intrusions was measured using an online self-caught method. Participants rated their emotional states before and after the worry control session. Their working memory capacities (WMCs) and depressive tendency were comparable across conditions. The results showed the FBS and FPS groups exhibited fewer worry intrusions than did the FNS group. Furthermore, worry intrusions were negatively related to WMC for the FNS group but independent of WMC for the other two. The above findings together indicate that the FBS and FPS are relatively effective and effortless methods for reducing worry intrusions. Negative emotions decreased after the worry control session for all groups. However, decoupling of negative emotions from worry intrusions was only observed for the FBS and FNS groups. Overall, FBS outperforms FPS and FNS in managing worries from the above aspects. Several theoretical and practical implications of the study were discussed., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2022, Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

In the present study, we investigated the role of desire thinking in problematic social media use (PSMU) whilst accounting for negative affect, impulsivity, and thought suppression. A sample of individuals with PSMU (n = 350) who used social media at least 8 h daily was recruited. Participants completed measures of negative affect, impulsivity, thought suppression, craving, desire thinking, and PSMU. Results indicated that negative affect, impulsivity, and thought suppression had significant indirect effects on craving and PSMU through the significant mediating role of desire thinking. The present study shows that desire thinking is an underlying mechanism linking established variables associated with PSMU (negative affect, impulsivity, and thought suppression) to craving and PSMU. Focusing efforts on the interruption of desire thinking may be beneficial to support individuals in disengaging from PSMU., Competing Interests: Conflict of InterestThere are no conflicts of interest to report., (© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2022.)