The rebound effect in the unsuccessful suppression of worrisome thoughts

The suppression of unwanted thoughts causes the subsequent increase in such thoughts, a phenomenon called the rebound effect of thought suppression. Thought suppression is an important factor in the cognitive model of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). However, a limited number of studies examine the suppression of worrisome thoughts. The extent of success in suppressing thoughts varies across individuals. Moreover, unsuccessful suppression is associated with the rebound effect. Against this background, the present study investigated the influence of success and failure of suppression on the rebound effect for worrisome thoughts in relation to trait worry. A total of 47 undergraduates participated in an experiment comprising three phases of thought sampling tasks (baseline, suppression, and mention). In the suppression phase, they were required to suppress their main worrisome thought. In the subsequent phase (mention), they were instructed to think about anything they liked. Regression analysis revealed that unsuccessful suppression predicted the rebound effect in individuals with higher levels of trait worry. The findings substantiate the paradoxical effect of thought suppression on worry.

► We study how the success and failure of suppression affects the rebound effect.
► We focus on worrisome thoughts and also consider trait worry.
► We conduct a 3-phase experiment involving thought sampling tasks.
► Trait worry moderates the effect of unsuccessful suppression of such thoughts.
► Failure to suppress a worrisome thought increases its later frequency remarkably.