Abstract:

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between chronic thought suppression tendencies and psychopathology in the nonclinical population. Considering that in laboratory conditions suppression is often associated with an ironic increase in the unwanted thoughts, it has been suggested that the chronic use of this mental control strategy could be related with negative affectivity, as people unsuccessfully try to inhibit certain emotionally laden contents. Our results show significant positive correlations between the chronic use of suppression (measured by the White Bear Suppression Inventory and the Thought Control Questionnaire) and anxiety, depression and distress. Also, significant differences in thought suppression tendencies and thought suppression strategies were found among men and women.

Keywords: thought suppression, suppression strategies, anxiety, depression, distress