Why “why” seems better than “how”. Processes underlining repetitive thinking in an Italian non-clinical sample.

Highlights: [•] The results confirm the hypothesis that “why” repetitive thinking (RT) is dysfunctional. [•] The why style probably leads to increase the negative mood. [•] Why RT is supported by a self-evaluative or a more fallacious evaluation of the why functional use. [•] The results revealed a sort of anchoring effect of both “why” style and mood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]