Briefly Assessing Repetitive Thought Dimensions: Valence, Purpose, and Total

Suzanne C. Segerstrom, Jaime K. Hardy, Daniel R. Evans, Ian A. Boggero, Lynn E. Alden, Annette L. Stanton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Discrete forms of repetitive thought (RT), such as worry and reflection, can be characterized along basic dimensions of valence (positive vs. negative) and purpose (searching vs. solving). In addition, people can be characterized as high or low in their tendency to engage in RT. This dimensional model has been demanding to assess, and a smaller number of items that could stand in for a large battery would make measurement more accessible. Using four samples (N = 1,588), eight items that assess RT valence, purpose, and total in a circumplex model were identified. Across these and other samples, the dimensions were adequately reliable and valid with regard to assessment via large RT battery, other measures of RT, and depressive symptoms. The accessibility of dimensional assessment of RT using this smaller number of items should facilitate work on questions about the qualities of RT that predict mental and physical health.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)614-623
Number of pages10
JournalAssessment
Volume23
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015, © The Author(s) 2015.

Keywords

  • assessment
  • diary
  • multidimensional
  • repetitive thought
  • short form

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Applied Psychology

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