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Singular and Combined Effects of Thought Suppression and Anxiety Induction on Frequency of Threatening Thoughts: An Experimental Investigation

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Abstract

The suppression of unwanted thoughts has been hypothesized to play an important role in the maintenance of clinical disorders such as OCD and PTSD. The present study sought to examine the singular and combined effects of thought suppression instructions and anxiety induction (as induced by an anticipated impromptu speech) on the frequency of threat-relevant thoughts. Socially anxious participants were randomized to one of four conditions: (a) thought suppression instructions—anticipated speech; (b) thought suppression instructions—no anticipated speech; (c) no thought suppression instructions—anticipated speech; and (d) no thought suppression instructions—no anticipated speech. Contrary to prediction, those instructed to suppress their target thoughts under conditions of heightened anxiety reported fewer anxious thoughts following suppression than the non-suppression group. This effect was not observed among participants in the no anxiety induction control condition. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that anxiety induction may actually facilitate successful suppression of threat-relevant thoughts. Theoretical implications are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for the Study of Anxiety Disorders, Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas

    Jesse R. Cougle, Han-Joo Lee, Mark B. Powers & Michael J. Telch PhD

  2. Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas

    Jasper A. J. Smits

  3. Laboratory for the Study of Anxiety Disorders, Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A8000, Austin, Texas, 78712-0187

    Michael J. Telch PhD

Authors
  1. Jesse R. Cougle
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  2. Jasper A. J. Smits
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  3. Han-Joo Lee
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  4. Mark B. Powers
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  5. Michael J. Telch PhD
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Correspondence to Michael J. Telch PhD.

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Cougle, J.R., Smits, J.A.J., Lee, HJ. et al. Singular and Combined Effects of Thought Suppression and Anxiety Induction on Frequency of Threatening Thoughts: An Experimental Investigation. Cogn Ther Res 29, 525–539 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-005-2793-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-005-2793-x

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