The effect of distraction with recalling objects of rumination on mood, and the evaluation of ruminative thoughts

Abstract

e e ect of a task that encouraged participants to divide their attention between a present distractive task and previous negative events on improving negative mood and evaluation was investigated. Participants n 24 were randomly assigned to three task groups: A distraction, B distraction while recalling negative events, and C recalling negative events without distraction. en, they performed each task for 10 minutes. Negative mood and the evaluation of previous negative events were assessed a er induced rumination, task engagement, and resting for two minutes. Analyses of variance indicated no signi cant di erences in negative mood between the groups. However, groups A and B, compared to group C showed a higher reduction in the evaluation of negative events. Moreover, only group B showed a signi cant reduction in negative evaluation between a er task and a er resting. ese results suggest that when a person cannot stop ruminating about negative events, distraction with recalling negative events would be more e ective for improving negative evaluations than merely continuing to ruminate.

Self-Reported Attention Control Skills Moderate the Effect of Self-Focused Attention on Depression

“…For example, the findings could support the efficacy of mindfulness in cultivating acceptance and non-judgmental, open awareness of various thoughts or feelings. Furthermore, Ishikawa and Koshikawa (2018) showed the possible efficacy of dividing-attention training; they reported that engaging in a distraction task while deliberately recalling unpleasant memories was effective in reducing one’s aversion to the memories. Dividing attention skill would play a significant role in mitigating the increase of negative mood and cognition.…”

Impact of practice effect on each difficulty of cutting skill

“…The creation of paper-cutting helps with concentration and has a relaxing effect. Actually, creating paper-cutting has a distraction effect of temporarily suppressing negative thinking [7]. When the difficulty is inappropriate concerning the skill level, the flow state due to the creative activity decreases.…”