The future-oriented repetitive thought (FoRT) scale: A measure of repetitive thinking about the future

•We present a new scale assessing future-oriented repetitive thought (FoRT).•Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses support a 3-factor solution.•Subscales associated with but distinct from other forms of repetitive thought.•Scales distinguished suicide ideators and attempters from controls.

Background and objectivesRepetitive thinking about the future has been suggested as one way in which individuals may become hopeless about the future. We report on a new scale assessing future-oriented repetitive thinking, termed the Future-Oriented Repetitive Thought (FoRT) Scale.MethodsIn Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted with data from 1071 individuals who completed the scale. Study 2 describes a confirmatory factor analysis with a revised version of the scale on a sample of 612 individuals, a subsample of whom (N=99) also completed measures of repetitive thought (rumination, worry), hopelessness-related cognitions, and symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety disorder in order to examine evidence for the measure's convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity. Study 3 examined the scale's concurrent validity in distinguishing between individuals with and without a history of suicidal ideation and attempts.ResultsA three-factor solution emerged in Study 1, and this solution was confirmed in Study 2. In addition, the FoRT scale demonstrated moderate associations with other measures of repetitive thought (rumination, worry), with hopelessness-related cognitions, and with symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety. Finally, the FoRT scale distinguished between individuals with and without a history of suicidal ideation and attempts.LimitationsCross-sectional data limit conclusions that can be drawn about directionality.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the newly developed FoRT scale is a reliable and valid measure of future-oriented repetitive thought.