Thought suppression across time: Change in frequency and duration of thought recurrence

•The present study examines two distinct dimensions of thought recurrence – frequency and duration of a thought's return – and how they evolve over time.•100 adults either suppressed or monitored the recurrence of an unpleasant thought for 4 min; then, during a second four minute period, all participants monitored the thought's recurrence.•Frequency declined across time and the rate of decline slowed as time went on.•Duration initially remained short and stable for those asked to suppress, and increased over time for those asked to monitor. Later, duration increased for those initially asked to suppress but was short and stable for those who initially monitored.

Some studies have found that trying to suppress thoughts increases their long-term recurrence, a phenomenon associated with psychopathology, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, effect sizes in thought suppression studies have often been small and inconsistent. The present study sought to improve thought suppression conceptualization and measurement by examining two distinct dimensions of thought recurrence – frequency and duration of a thought's return – and how they evolve over time. After a thought focus period, 100 adults were assigned to either suppress or monitor the recurrence of an unpleasant thought for 4 min. Then, during a second four-minute period, all participants were asked to monitor the thought's recurrence. Hierarchical linear modeling indicated that thought frequency declined across time and the rate of decline slowed as time went on. Initially, the extent of thought duration remained short and stable for those asked to suppress, and increased linearly over time for those asked to monitor. Later, this pattern reversed. Duration increased linearly for those initially asked to suppress but was short and stable for those who initially monitored. Accounting for change over time and means of measuring recurrence (frequency vs. duration) may help elucidate past mixed findings, and improve thought suppression research methodology.