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How thinking hurts: Rumination, worry, and avoidance processes in adjustment to bereavement.
Maarten C Eisma1, Thomas A de Lang1, Paul A Boelen2,3
1Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Repetitive negative thoughts like rumination and worry worsen depression and prolonged grief after bereavement. Avoidance behaviors partially explain these links, suggesting exposure-based therapies may help.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Bereavement Studies
Background:
- Repetitive negative thought (RNT) is crucial in mental health issues post-bereavement.
- Research has focused on rumination, but worry is gaining attention.
- Both RNT types may impede adaptation through avoidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- Differentiate rumination and worry's impact on depression and prolonged grief.
- Investigate if avoidance mediates RNT's effect on symptom levels.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 474 recently bereaved adults (82% female).
- Assessed rumination, worry, loss-related and behavioral avoidance, depression, and prolonged grief symptoms.
Main Results:
- Both rumination and worry uniquely predicted depression and prolonged grief.
- Rumination showed a stronger association with prolonged grief than worry.
- Avoidance partially mediated the relationship between RNT and both symptom types.
Conclusions:
- Rumination and worry are distinct yet significant contributors to psychological distress after loss.
- Avoidance plays a mediating role in these associations.
- Exposure and behavioral activation may be beneficial interventions.
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