Cracking the Repetitive Negative Thinking Code: Keys to Understanding Anxiety and Depression

Debate exists on whether cognitive components of anxiety and depression, specifically worry, postevent processing (PEP), and rumination, are best understood as independent constructs (i.e., symptom-specific) or as one transdiagnostic construct (i.e., repetitive negative thinking [RNT]) and whether the process or content of RNT is most relevant to symptom severity. We investigate whether RNT, measured transdiagnostically, explains additional variance in symptom severity than worry, rumination, and PEP. We explore whether the content of RNT thoughts or the process of engaging in RNT is associated with symptom severity. Undergraduates (n = 646) completed measures of RNT, PEP, worry, rumination, and symptom severity. Transdiagnostic RNT explained additional variance in symptom severity beyond PEP, worry, or rumination, and vice versa. RNT content and process predicted greater psychological symptom severity. Both the process and the content of RNT (both general and symptom-specific) are associated with depression and anxiety symptom severity.