Abstract
The current study compares the effects of experimentally induced rumination, positive reappraisal, distancing, and acceptance
on affect states in adolescents aged 13–18. Participants (N = 160) were instructed to think about a recent stressful event. Next, they received specific instructions on how to think
about that event in each condition. Manipulation checks revealed that the manipulations were successful, except for acceptance.
The two most reported events were “a fight” and “death of loved one”. Results showed that positive reappraisal (i.e., thinking
about the benefits and personal growth) caused a significantly larger increase in positive affect and decrease in negative
affect compared to rumination, distancing, and acceptance. Current findings implicate that positive reappraisal seems an adequate
coping strategy in the short-term, and therefore could be applied in interventions for youth experiencing difficulties managing
negative affect. Future research should focus on long-term effects of these cognitive strategies and on more intensive training
of acceptance.
on affect states in adolescents aged 13–18. Participants (N = 160) were instructed to think about a recent stressful event. Next, they received specific instructions on how to think
about that event in each condition. Manipulation checks revealed that the manipulations were successful, except for acceptance.
The two most reported events were “a fight” and “death of loved one”. Results showed that positive reappraisal (i.e., thinking
about the benefits and personal growth) caused a significantly larger increase in positive affect and decrease in negative
affect compared to rumination, distancing, and acceptance. Current findings implicate that positive reappraisal seems an adequate
coping strategy in the short-term, and therefore could be applied in interventions for youth experiencing difficulties managing
negative affect. Future research should focus on long-term effects of these cognitive strategies and on more intensive training
of acceptance.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-011-9544-0
- Authors
- Lea Rood, Dept. of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Jeffrey Roelofs, Dept. of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Susan M. Bögels, Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Arnoud Arntz, Dept. of Clinical Psychological Science, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627