The DOI matches its Crossref record; 438 of the 438 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Constructive and unconstructive repetitive thought
Open accessAbstract
The author reviews research showing that repetitive thought (RT) can have constructive or unconstructive consequences. The main unconstructive consequences of RT are (a) depression, (b) anxiety, and (c) difficulties in physical health. The main constructive consequences of RT are (a) recovery from upsetting and traumatic events, (b) adaptive preparation and anticipatory planning, (c) recovery from depression, and (d) uptake of health-promoting behaviors. Several potential principles accounting for these distinct consequences of RT are identified within this review: (a) the valence of thought content, (b) the intrapersonal and situational context in which RT occurs, and (c) the level of construal (abstract vs. concrete processing) adopted during RT. Of the existing models of RT, it is proposed that an elaborated version of the control theory account provides the best theoretical framework to account for its distinct consequences.
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“In particular, much of the psychological theorizing about the nature of GAD and MDD in terms of disruption of mind and body has been predicated on a functional relationship between the kinds and intensity of visceral and psychological sensations that one experiences (i.e., motivational intensity) and the ways by which one attempts to respond to their arising (i.e., negative self-referentiality; B”
From Distinct functional connectivities predict clinical response with emotion regulation therapy (2017) · cites this paper as Watkins, 2008
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In the citing paper
“worry, which involves perseverative thinking about future threats [95,96]”
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In the citing paper
“Theorists (e.g., Borkovec et al., 2004; Nolen-Hoeksema, Wisco, & Lyubomirsky, 2008; Watkins, 2008) have argued that NSRP including worry and rumination becomes negatively reinforced by the reduction in aversive emotions.”
From What, me worry and ruminate about dsm-5 and rdoc? The importance of targeting negative self-referential processing (2013) · cites this paper as Watkins, 2008
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn the citing paper
“These impairments often manifest as increased distractibility or elevated levels of mind-wandering,212,228–231 as well as hyperactivity of the DN and weaker anticorrelations with networks involved in external attention.146–148,229,232–235”
From The default network and self-generated thought: component processes, dynamic control, and clinical relevance (2014) · cites this paper as [212]
In the citing paper
“NSRPs are common processes in many forms of psychopathology, including GAD and MDD, and includes repetitive or perseverative thought (Watkins, 2008) such as rumination (e.g., repetitive thinking about past mistakes aimed at reducing distress related to perceived losses; Nolen-Hoeksema et al., 2008) and worry (e.g., repetitive thinking about future events aimed at reducing distress that arises from”
From Emotion Regulation Therapy: A Mechanism-Targeted Treatment for Disorders of Distress (2017) · cites this paper as Watkins, 2008
In the citing paper
“with evidence that this may in part be due to interference with effective problem solving, engagement in instrumental rewarding behaviours or access to social support, which have been proposed as mediators of the negative effects of rumination (Lyubomirsky & Tkach, 2004;Nolen-Hoeksema, Wisco, & Lyubomirsky, 2008;E. R. Watkins, 2008).”
From Perseverative negative thinking predicts depression in people with acute coronary syndrome (2019) · cites this paper as E. R. Watkins, 2008
In the citing paper
“Research in non-cardiac populations suggests these factors may be important in explaining the association of rumination with depression (Lyubomirsky & Tkach, 2004;Nolen-Hoeksema et al., 2008;E. R. Watkins, 2008)”
From Perseverative negative thinking predicts depression in people with acute coronary syndrome (2019) · cites this paper as E. R. Watkins, 2008
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“We carefully coded the ER (and comparison) instructions used and linked these to the ER processes as described by Gross’ (1998a, 1998b) process model as well as other theoretical frameworks that can help to conceptualize within-process distinctions (e.g., Koole, 2009; Mor & Winquist, 2002; Parkinson & Totterdell, 1999…”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Metadata
- Authors
- Watkins, E. R.
- Affiliations
- University of Exeter (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Watkins, Edward R.
- ORCID
- Watkins, Edward R.
- Venue
- Psychological Bulletin
- Published
- 2008-03
- Volume
- 134
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 163-206
- ISSN
- 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1455
- PMC
- PMC2672052
- OpenAlex
- W2140526779
- Semantic Scholar
- e688b6dad0f51934879bed75126a36ac3beea1b6
- Cited by
- 2,421
- References
- 433
- Citations by year
- 2026: 149 · 2025: 156 · 2024: 168 · 2023: 149 · 2022: 144 · 2021: 170 · 2020: 169 · 2019: 123 · 2018: 157 · 2017: 130 · 2016: 142 · 2015: 134 · 2014: 126 · 2013: 109 · 2012: 114
- FWCI
- 126.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion, other-oa)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter) (publishedVersion)
- Figshare (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Wellcome Trust (065809; 080099)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Mind wandering and attention
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
- Keywords
- repetitive thinking, rumination, depression, anxiety, physical health, trauma recovery, anticipatory planning, health-promoting behaviors, construal level
- MeSH terms
- Cognition, Humans, Periodicity, Psychological Theory, Semantics, Thinking
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