Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
08:42
Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression
Published on: May 19, 2015
11.3K
Positive future-oriented fantasies and depressive symptoms: Indirect relationship through brooding
Natalia Macrynikola1, Shama Goklani2, Julia Slotnick2
1Hunter College, City University of New York, 695 Park Ave., Room 611HN, New York, NY 10065, United States; The Graduate Center, City University of New York, United States.
Consciousness and Cognition
|March 9, 2017
Summary
Positive future fantasies can worsen depressive symptoms by triggering brooding, a type of rumination. This effect is seen when fantasy consistency is maintained or increases, highlighting brooding as a key mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Positive future outlook typically correlates with psychological well-being.
- However, positive future fantasies can paradoxically worsen mood and increase depressive symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate rumination as a cognitive mechanism linking positive future fantasies to negative mood outcomes.
- To explore the role of brooding versus reflection in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 261 young adults twice over six weeks.
- Used an objectively coded measure for future-oriented fantasies.
- Measured brooding and reflection subtypes of rumination.
Main Results:
- Positive future fantasies were associated with brooding, not reflection, at baseline.
- Brooding indirectly linked baseline fantasies to six-week depressive symptoms, particularly with consistent or increasing fantasy positivity.
- Brooding also mediated the association between fantasies and difficulty anticipating positive future outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Brooding, a form of rumination, acts as a mechanism through which positive future fantasies can become maladaptive.
- Findings clarify conditions under which positive future thinking may negatively impact mental health, specifically depressive symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Depressive Disorders: Etiology
808
Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
808
01:19Counterfactual Thinking
313
Counterfactual thinking is a cognitive process wherein individuals mentally reconstruct alternative versions of past events, often beginning with “what if” or “if only.” This reflective mechanism plays a significant role in shaping emotional experiences and guiding future behavior. Though typically triggered by unfavorable or unexpected outcomes, counterfactual thinking can also emerge in mundane, everyday decisions and experiences, revealing its deep entrenchment in...
313
01:30Unrealistic Optimism Bias
287
Unrealistic optimism bias is the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of positive outcomes. This cognitive bias makes individuals believe they are less likely to experience failures, setbacks, or risks and more likely to succeed than others. For example, people may assume they are less prone to health issues, accidents, or financial struggles than their peers, even when they share similar risk factors.One key component of this bias is the above-average effect, where individuals perceive...
287
01:27Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia
946
Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...
946
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
19.0K
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
19.0K
01:29Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
387
Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...
387