Effects of Thought Suppression and Stressful Events on Brooding and Reflective Pondering

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated that chronic thought suppression and stress together exacerbate rumination. This phenomenon is explained as resulting from the immediate enhancement effect of thought suppression. We measured the 2 components of rumination, brooding and reflective pondering, and examined the effects of thought suppression and stress on them. Results showed that chronic thought suppression and stress independently predicted the level of brooding. These results suggest the existence of a mediator between thought suppression and brooding that is different from the enhancement effect of thought suppression. Future directions for research on the relationship between thought suppression and brooding are discussed.