Attentional control moderates the relationship between activation of the cognitive attentional syndrome and symptoms of psychopathology

Wells’s (2009) metacognitive theory suggests that inflexible and recurrent styles of thinking in response to negative thoughts, feelings, and beliefs exacerbate symptoms of psychopathology. Such styles of thinking underlie the cognitive attentional syndrome (CAS). Using a large nonclinical sample (N = 456), the present study examined whether attentional control moderates the relationship between activation of the CAS and symptoms of psychopathology (i.e., depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms). Consistent with predictions, relationships between activation of the CAS and assessed symptoms became increasingly stronger as attentional control decreased. Thus, for individuals who have a relative inability to disengage and shift attention from threat information (i.e., low attentional control), use of CAS-relevant coping strategies (e.g., rumination, worry) appears to be associated with especially deleterious psychological effects. Conceptual and therapeutic implications are discussed.

► Cognitive attentional syndrome (CAS) is a core construct of metacognitive theory.
► Assessed relations between CAS and symptoms of psychopathology.
► Examined whether attentional control (AC) moderated such relations.
► CAS was related to increased symptoms of psychopathology at low levels of AC.