[Effect of symptom-related vs. distraction-focused attention on dysphoric mood]

Within the framework of the "response styles theory" Nolen-Hoeksema (1991) argues that depressive episodes are prolonged or intensified by symptom-focused rumination. In contrast, depressed mood can be reduced by responses which focus the attention away from the symptoms of depression and its possible causes and consequences. In the present study these assumptions were examined under conditions derived from a critical analysis of earlier empirical studies. 70 students took part in the experiment. Depressed (n = 30) and non-depressed (n = 40) subjects were randomly assigned to either a symptom-focused or a distracting task. Self-report data were used to compare pre- and post-task mood. Results are mainly consistent with predictions. However, in contrast to the findings of Nolen-Hoeksema and her colleagues, no significant increase in depressed mood was observed in the symptom-focused condition and the empirical effect in the distracting condition was weaker than in previous studies using the same distracting task. These inconsistent findings are attributed to differences in the experimental settings. Theoretical and methodical implications are discussed.