The DOI matches its Crossref record; 43 of the 43 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
When Asking “Why” Does Not Hurt Distinguishing Rumination From Reflective Processing of Negative Emotions
Abstract
Two experiments examined the psychological operations that enable individuals to process negative emotions and experiences without increasing negative affect. In Study 1, type of self-perspective (self-immersed vs. self-distanced) and type of emotional focus (what vs. why) were experimentally manipulated following the recall of an anger-eliciting interpersonal experience. A why focus on emotions from a self-distanced perspective (distanced-why strategy) was expected to enable “cool,” reflective processing of emotions, in which individuals can focus on their experience without reactivating excessive “hot” negative affect. Findings were consistent with this hypothesis. Study 2 replicated these findings and furthermore demonstrated that (a) the degree to which individuals construe their recalled experience in abstract versus concrete terms mediates the effect of the distanced-why strategy and (b) the status of the recalled experience (resolved vs. unresolved) does not moderate the effectiveness of the distanced-why strategy. These findings help disentangle the mechanisms that may allow adaptive working through from those that lead to rumination.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Anxiety and depression are global health challenges with the majority of cases emerging before the age of 24 years105,106.”
From Decentering as a core component in the psychological treatment and prevention of youth anxiety and depression: a narrative review and insight report (2021) · cites this paper as [106]
Citations
Cites
Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173 · Cited by 91,532
Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales.
Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.54.6.1063 · Cited by 32,433
James, W. (1891) · Personality Culture Society · doi:10.1037/11059-000 · Cited by 25,876
The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being
Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. (2003) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.84.4.822 · Cited by 13,448
(1993) · Cited by 7,136
Emotional processing of fear: Exposure to corrective information.
Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. J. (1986) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.20 · Cited by 5,396
Responses to depression and their effects on the duration of depressive episodes
Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1991) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037/0021-843x.100.4.569 · Cited by 4,529
Delay of gratification in children.
Mischel, W., Shoda, Y., & Rodriguez, M. L. (1989) · Science · doi:10.1126/science.2658056 · Cited by 3,397
Self-citationPrevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
Teasdale, J. D., Segal, Z. V., Williams, J. M. G., Ridgeway, V. A., Soulsby, J. M., & Lau, M. A. (2000) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.68.4.615 · Cited by 3,236
Trope, Y., & Liberman, N. (2003) · Psychological Review · doi:10.1037/0033-295x.110.3.403 · Cited by 3,006
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- 10.1037/0021-843X.109.3.504 · DOI · Paper page
- Zeno W.M., 1995, The educator's word frequency index
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 401–500 of 603
Asking ‘why’ still increases intrusions: A response to Ayduk and Kross (2008)
Moulds, M. L. (2008) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2008.10.012 · Cited by 4
The Effectiveness of Narrative Pre-Experiences for Creating Context in Military Training
Bowers, C. A., Serge, S. R., Blair, L., Cannon‐Bowers, J. A., Joyce, R., & Boshnack, J. (2013) · Simulation & Gaming · doi:10.1177/1046878113475341 · Cited by 4
Stepping Outside the Self Promotes Pro-Environmental Behaviors
Hou, C., Sarigöllü, E., Jo, M., & Liang, D. (2018) · Sustainability · doi:10.3390/su10093128 · Cited by 4
Social Context and the Psychology of Emotional Intelligence
Ybarra, O., Rees, L. L., Kross, E. F., & Sanchez‐Burks, J. (2011) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199734610.013.0016 · Cited by 4
Self-citationHukkinen, E., Luetz, J. M., & Dowden, T. (2024) · Journal of Religious Education · doi:10.1007/s40839-024-00236-1 · Cited by 3
Moore, S. A., Dondzilo, L., Mazidi, M., MacLeod, C. M., & Notebaert, L. (2025) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-025-10576-3 · Cited by 3
Worship me at the office altar: Why narcissistic leaders resist remote work
Shandell, M. S., Elliott, C. E., & Grant, A. M. (2026) · Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes · doi:10.1016/j.obhdp.2026.104496 · Cited by 3
Nasarudin, A., Moeck, E. K., & Koval, P. (2023) · Cognition & Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2023.2258570 · Cited by 3
Prime, H., Muise, A., Jambon, M. M., Koven, M. R., Markwell, A., & Wade, M. (2024) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-024-10485-x · Cited by 7
Curiosity and the Regulation of Affective Memory
Ham, J., Murty, V. P., & Helion, C. (2024) · Emotion Review · doi:10.1177/17540739241303500 · Cited by 3
Hansen, J., Khvorost, A., Zimonjic, M., & Schoosleitner, C. (2025) · Cognition & Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2025.2529527 · Cited by 3
Liu, J., Wang, X. T., & Zhu, L. (2025) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-025-03211-z · Cited by 3
Interpersonal Emotion Regulation in the Work of Financial Traders
Vohra, S. (2018) · Research on emotion in organizations · doi:10.1108/s1746-979120180000014013 · Cited by 3
Rumination and Emotional Modulation of the Attentional Blink
Ganor, T., Mor, N., & Huppert, J. D. (2021) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-021-10251-3 · Cited by 3
Li, Y., Li, T., Zhang, Q., Kan, R. W. M., Cao, L., Kong, H., & Wang, Y. (2023) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-023-05054-6 · Cited by 3
Effect of Gender on the Relationship Between Ruminative Thinking and Depressive Symptoms
Alıcı, Y. H., & Hasanlı, J. (2023) · Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar - Current Approaches in Psychiatry · doi:10.18863/pgy.1322319 · Cited by 4
Vu, M. C., & Singh, N. (2023) · Management, change, strategy and positive leadership · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-41245-5_8 · Cited by 3
Interpersonal Aspects of Mindfulness and Concentrative Meditations
Agrawal, J., & Sahota, P. B. K. (2021) · Advances in psychology, mental health, and behavioral studies (APMHBS) book series · doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-8682-2.ch015 · Cited by 3
Dorris, D. C. (2009) · Consciousness and Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.concog.2009.03.005 · Cited by 3
Review: Does maladaptive repetitive thinking affect characteristics of mental time travel?
Finnbogadóttir, H., & Thomsen, D. K. (2013) · Nordic Psychology · doi:10.1080/19012276.2013.807664 · Cited by 4
Language limits the experience of emotions
Wood, A., & Niedenthal, P. M. (2015) · Physics of Life Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.plrev.2015.04.031 · Cited by 3
McIlwain, D. J. F., Taylor, A., & Geeves, A. M. (2010) · Conference of the Australasian Society for Cognitive Science · doi:10.5096/ascs200936 · Cited by 3
Balderas, J. C., Bistricky, S. L., Schield, S., & Short, M. B. (2021) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-021-01924-z · Cited by 3
Varma, S., Traynor, J. M., & Fitzpatrick, S. (2021) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2021.101712 · Cited by 6
The role of rumination in the development of depressive symptoms in youth
Rood, L. (2011) · Research Publications (Maastricht University) · doi:10.26481/dis.20111103lr · Cited by 3
Specificity and vantage perspective of autobiographical memories in borderline pathology.
den Broeck, K. V. (2014) · Lirias · Cited by 3
Social Media Desire and Impulsiveness: Intensified by Self-Immersion, Reduced by Mindfulness
Galla, B., Baelen, R. N., Fiore, H. M., Hutt, S., & Shenhav, A. (2018) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/ch43n · Cited by 3
Disembodiment: Abstract Construal Attenuates the Influence of Contextual Bodily State in Judgment
Maglio, S. J., & Yaacov Trope, B. (2011) · PsycEXTRA Dataset · doi:10.1037/e519702015-026 · Cited by 3
Cai, R., Leung, X. Y., & Lu, L. (2024) · Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research · doi:10.1177/10963480241305764 · Cited by 2
The Moderating Effect of Self-Construal on the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Forgiveness
Guo, Z., Xu, T., & Li, H. (2025) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs15020195 · Cited by 2
Vongswasdi, P., Leroy, H., Menges, J. I., & Lê, J. (2025) · Academy of Management Learning & Education · doi:10.5465/amle.2023.0434 · Cited by 2
Murdoch, E. M., Ayers, J., Crane, M. F., Ntoumanis, N., Brade, C. J., Quested, E., & Gucciardi, D. F. (2025) · Anxiety Stress & Coping · doi:10.1080/10615806.2025.2520617 · Cited by 2
Making the Personal Political: Personal versus Group-Focused Rumination Following Sexual Harassment
Sinclair, L., Trapnell, P. D., & Kinsman, L. (2023) · Sex Roles · doi:10.1007/s11199-023-01407-4 · Cited by 2
Temporal Asymmetry of Pleasant and Unpleasant Feelings Among Chinese Adolescents
Hao, H., Hu, Q., Shen, X., Hu, Y., & Lyu, H. (2024) · The Journal of Psychology · doi:10.1080/00223980.2024.2330412 · Cited by 2
Anger is eliminated with the disposal of a paper written because of provocation
Kanaya, Y., & Kawai, N. (2024) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-024-57916-z · Cited by 3
A broad view of time predicts greater subjective well-being
Bergstrom, T., Reiff, J. S., Mogilner, C., & Ersner-Hershfield, H. (2024) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2024.112663 · Cited by 2
Murdoch, E. M., Ayers, J., Trihy, E., Crane, M. F., Ntoumanis, N., Brade, C. J., Quested, E., & Gucciardi, D. F. (2024) · Stress and Health · doi:10.1002/smi.3434 · Cited by 3
Anger, Guilt, and Fearful Hope: Prioritizing Emotion in University Labor Activism
Hellwig, B. (2024) · College English · doi:10.58680/ce2024866468 · Cited by 2
Self-Immersed Expressive Writing Increases LF/HF Ratio and Decreases Expressive Suppression
Jacques, T., & Alves, R. A. (2024) · Journal of Psychophysiology · doi:10.1027/0269-8803/a000334 · Cited by 3
Reflective Abstract Processing Reduces Negative Emotions Independent of Self‐Perspective
Yapıcı, S., & Uzer, T. (2024) · Stress and Health · doi:10.1002/smi.3523 · Cited by 1
Kross, E. F., & Ochsner, K. N. (2010) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195391381.003.0005 · Cited by 2
Self-citationCombatting temptation to promote health and well-being
Fishbach, A., & Woolley, K. (2017) · doi:10.4324/9781315648576.ch14 · Cited by 2
An Exploration of the Use of Literature as a Therapeutic Intervention in Social Work
Murphy, J., & Jenkinson, H. (2020) · The British Journal of Social Work · doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcaa239 · Cited by 2
Shahane, A. D., Fagundes, C. P., Buka, S. L., & Denny, B. T. (2021) · Psychoneuroimmunology Journal · doi:10.32371/pnij/246121 · Cited by 2
Kurgu Seviyesi Kuramı Perspektifinden Sosyal Uzaklığın Etkisi: Öz-Şefkatin Rolü
Solmazer, G., & Özkan, T. (2022) · Nesne Psikoloji Dergisi · doi:10.7816/nesne-10-23-01 · Cited by 1
Judgments under emotioncy’s influence
Pishghadam, R., & Abbasnejad, H. (2017) · Cognitive Linguistic Studies · doi:10.1075/cogls.00006.pis · Cited by 2
Cognitive processing and affect predict negotiators’ post-adversity subjective and economic outcomes
Olekalns, M., & Smith, P. L. (2021) · International Journal of Conflict Management · doi:10.1108/ijcma-11-2019-0214 · Cited by 2
Self-distancing to reduce anger in high school students
Yoshikawa, K., Kehle, T. J., Bray, M. A., del Campo, M. A., deLeyer-Tiarks, J. M., Winter, E. L., & Starling, N. R. (2021) · International Journal of School & Educational Psychology · doi:10.1080/21683603.2020.1804020 · Cited by 2
White, R. E. (2012) · University of Minnesota Digital Conservancy (University of Minnesota) · Cited by 2
Brahmavihara and its potential benefits for a harmonious workplacePreprint
Agrawal, J., & Sahota, P. B. K. (2020) · doi:10.31231/osf.io/unksp · Cited by 5
Social Sharing of Emotion During the Collective Crisis of COVID-19Preprint
Ma, G. W. S., Schöne, J. P., & Parkinson, B. (2022) · doi:10.31219/osf.io/9p3wh · Cited by 2
The Influences of Social Distance on Anxiety Caused by Spatial and Temporal DistancePreprint
Gao, Y., Zhang, Q., He, R., Liao, J., Feng, H., Deng, H., Hu, Y., & Mo, L. (2022) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-2035523/v1 · Cited by 2
Effects of Chatting Styles on Sharers’ Emotions During Online ConversationsPreprint
Ma, G. W. S., Pavey, C., Eiroa-Solans, C., & Parkinson, B. (2023) · doi:10.31219/osf.io/exbnz · Cited by 2
Gamaiunova, L., Shankland, R., Moore, M., Mayor, E., Dessart, G., Kotsou, I., & Fresco, D. (2024) · Psychological Test Adaptation and Development · doi:10.1027/2698-1866/a000083 · Cited by 1
O’Brien, M. D., Marx, R. A., Calzo, J. P., Poteat, V. P., & Ceccolini, C. J. (2022) · Youth & Society · doi:10.1177/0044118x221099049 · Cited by 1
Li, Q. (2025) · Asian Philosophy · doi:10.1080/09552367.2025.2515718 · Cited by 1
The frequency, form, and function of self-talk in everyday life
Schertz, K. E., Orvell, A., Chandhok, S., Vickers, B. D., Moser, J. S., Ayduk, Ö. N., & Kross, E. F. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-22647-2 · Cited by 3
Self-citationNah, S., & Schneider, J. (2026) · Behaviour and Information Technology · doi:10.1080/0144929x.2026.2660871 · Cited by 1
Fishbach, A., & Myrseth, K. O. R. (2010) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-374387-9.00028-3 · Cited by 1
Rumination, anger, and aggression
Borders, A. (2020) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-812545-8.00003-6 · Cited by 3
The Doctor-Patient Relationship from the Perspective of Psychology: The Role of Construal Level
李, 卓. (2020) · Advances in Psychology · doi:10.12677/ap.2020.105082 · Cited by 1
Practice Guide and Strategies to Increase EI
Gonzales, M. (2022) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-19-0324-3_12 · Cited by 1
Session One: Positive Introduction and Gratitude Journal
Rashid, T., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2018) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780195325386.003.0007 · Cited by 1
Gunnarsson, H., & Agerström, J. (2023) · Nordic Psychology · doi:10.1080/19012276.2023.2166977 · Cited by 1
Social good reappraisal as a novel and effective emotion regulation strategy
Tsai, N., Hawkesworth, J., Dieffenbach, J. R., Hua, D., Eneva, E., & Gabrieli, J. D. E. (2024) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0305756 · Cited by 1
Kalthom, M., Darouei, P., & Ghamarani, A. (2025) · Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies · doi:10.1080/17450128.2025.2518397 · Cited by 1
Effects of Chatting Styles on Sharers’ Emotions During Online Conversations
Ma, G. W. S., Pavey, C., Eiroa-Solans, C., & Parkinson, B. (2025) · European Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1002/ejsp.70003 · Cited by 1
The Social Dimension of Cancer
Cordella, M., & Poiani, A. (2013) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-9605-2_5 · Cited by 1
Psychological Distance terhadap Wise Reasoning pada Mahasiswa
Kurniawan, W., & Fakhri, L. N. (2015) · Jurnal Psikologi · doi:10.22146/jpsi.7171 · Cited by 1
Rashid, T., & Seligman, M. (2018) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780195325386.003.0001 · Cited by 1
Rashid, T., & Seligman, M. (2018) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780195325386.003.0003 · Cited by 1
Rashid, T., & Seligman, M. (2018) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780195325386.003.0005 · Cited by 2
Grange, J. J. P. L., & Botha, K. F. H. (2019) · Journal of Psychology in Africa · doi:10.1080/14330237.2019.1567993 · Cited by 1
Shin, J., & Lee, Y.-H. (2019) · Korean Journal of Stress Research · doi:10.17547/kjsr.2019.27.1.36 · Cited by 1
Jeong, S.-R., & Lee, S.-Y. (2020) · THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY · doi:10.35574/kjdp.2020.6.33.2.49 · Cited by 1
Hur, J., & Jang, S. S. (2021) · Journal of Tourism Insights · doi:10.9707/2328-0824.1175 · Cited by 1
Lakatos, S. C. (2012) · Graduate Student Journal of Psychology · doi:10.52214/gsjp.v14i.10881 · Cited by 1
Minasian, M. (2012) · Deep Blue (University of Michigan) · Cited by 1
Verbal Behavior In Individuals With Generalized Anxiety Disorder And Depressive Disorders
Slonim, T. (2014) · CUNY Academic Works (City University of New York) · Cited by 1
Gessner, S. N. (2015) · MOspace Institutional Repository (University of Missouri) · Cited by 1
A Validation Study of the Orientation Model
Wilkinson, B. D. (2016) · Scholarship & Creative Works - Digital UNC a service of University Libraries (University of Northern Colorado) · Cited by 1
Phenomenological Foundations of Psychological Distance
Travers, M. (2015) · CU Scholar (University of Colorado Boulder) · Cited by 1
A Corpus Based Study of Addiction Treatment ManualsPreprint
O’Hara, M. A., & Dykeman, C. (2019) · PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/b78mg · Cited by 1
Desfusão cognitva na Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso (ACT): o processo de mudança clínica
Assaz, D. A. (2020) · Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo) · doi:10.11606/t.47.2020.tde-24122021-113814 · Cited by 3
Thomaes, S. C. E., & Bushman, B. J. (2011) · Wiley eBooks · doi:10.1002/9781118093108.ch43 · Cited by 6
Interpersonal aspects of meditative traditionsPreprint
Agrawal, J., & Sahota, P. B. K. (2020) · MindRxiv (OSF Preprints) · doi:10.31231/osf.io/d9ucr · Cited by 1
Unveiling the Impact of Payment Methods on Consumer Behavior: Insights and Future DirectionsPreprint
Ma, Q., He, Y., Tan, Y., Cheng, L., & Wang, M. (2024) · doi:10.31219/osf.io/3fphk · Cited by 1
Positive Psychotherapy Inventory
Rashid, T., & Seligman, M. (2018) · Oxford University Press eBooks · doi:10.1093/med-psych/9780195325386.005.0003 · Cited by 1
Plante, C. N. (2014) · UWSpace (University of Waterloo)
Self Distancing and Human Reflection: Overcoming Bias in Judgment and Emotional Reasoning.
Bremner, R. H. (2013) · Deep Blue (University of Michigan)
Ortiz, Y. G., Expósito, D. C., & Martin, B. (2015) · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals)
Jones, N. P. (2007) · DukeSpace (Duke University)
Wortmann, J. H. (2013) · OpenCommons - UConn (University of Connecticut)
Predicting Support From an Intimate Partner After a Traumatic Injury1
Maisel, N. C., Rauer, A., Marshall, G. N., & Karney, B. R. (2011) · Journal of Applied Social Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2011.00792.x
Goldberg, A. (2011) · Deep Blue (University of Michigan)
Why dichotomize? : the combined effects of abstract and concrete processing on rumination
Mazzetti, F. A. (2010) · Texas ScholarWorks (Texas Digital Library)
Burson, A. (2013) · Deep Blue (University of Michigan)
Shani, Y. (2007) · Research portal (Tilburg University)
Metadata
- Authors
- Kross, E., Ayduk, O., & Mischel, W.
- Affiliations
- Columbia University (US)
- University of California, Berkeley
- ORCID
- Kross, Ethan
- Venue
- Psychological Science
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2005-09
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 709-715
- ISSN
- 0956-7976 (ISSN-L)
- 1467-9280
- OpenAlex
- W2100543830
- Cited by
- 603
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 39 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 36 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 60 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 37 · 2015: 31 · 2014: 24 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 35
- FWCI
- 13.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (MH39349)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
- Keywords
- rumination, reflective processing, negative emotions, emotional focus, anger, interpersonal conflict, unresolved conflicts, emotion regulation, working through
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Affect, Anger, Conflict, Psychological, Female, Humans, Male, Self Concept
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review