反復性思考の処理モードが回避行動に与える影響の縦断的検討

Repetitive thought is one of the factors associated with depression. In processing mode theory, the effects of repetitive thought on depression are changed by two types of processing modes: abstract-analytic or concrete-experiential. Although previous studies have shown that repetitive thought is related to avoidance behavior, which is one of the risk factors for increased depression, it has not been investigated whether repetitive thought has longitudinal effects on avoidance behavior. Consequently, the present study aims to reveal how processing modes of repetitive thought affect avoidance behavior. Through a one-month longitudinal survey, 50 university students were asked at two points in time about the degree of repetitive thought, avoidance behavior, and depressive symptoms experienced during that month. Results showed that a high level of repetitive thought in concrete-experiential mode decreased avoidance behavior by the second survey administration, but repetitive thought in abstract-analytic mode did not. Moreover, repetitive thought in concrete-experiential mode modified depression by decreasing avoidance behavior. This study indicates that increasing repetitive thought in concrete-experiential mode may improve avoidance behavior.