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Sarah_Adut_Master's_Thesis.pdf (327.02 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

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Looking Outside of Self and Experience: Effects of Cognitive Distancing on Intrusive Thought Responses

Adut, Sarah Lily
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0156-0002
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1578603833148252

Abstract Details

2019, Master of Arts, Miami University, Psychology.
Metacognitive methods that create cognitive distance between an individual and their negative thoughts have demonstrated beneficial effects, including reducing avoidance and distress, and increasing meaning-making in response to negative thoughts. Two dimensions of cognitive distancing, self-distancing and experiential distancing, may help clarify mechanisms through which cognitive distancing leads to adaptive versus harmful outcomes. The current study examined self-distancing and experiential distancing in response to intrusive thoughts, which are unpleasant, unwanted thoughts that have been implicated in the development and maintenance of a variety of clinical problems including obsessive-compulsive disorder. Participants (N=212) wrote about an intrusive thought from one of three perspectives that varied according to whether they were self-immersed or self-distanced, as well as whether they were experientially immersed or distanced. Greater degrees of cognitive distancing were anticipated to reduce negative reactions to an intrusive thought and increase self-compassion. Partial support for the hypotheses was found; simultaneously engaging in self-distancing and experiential distancing increased self-compassion as predicted. Consistent with prior literature, the combination of both distanced perspectives most strongly predicted beneficial outcomes. This study clarifies mechanisms of cognitive distancing and identifies possible benefits of utilizing cognitive distancing in the context of intrusive thoughts.
Joshua Magee, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Terri Messman-Moore, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
April Smith, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
28 p.
Clinical Psychology; Experimental Psychology; Psychology
Intrusive thoughts; cognitive distancing; self-distancing; experiential distancing; metacognition; obsessive-compulsive disorder; OCD; self-compassion; expressive writing; experimental design; first-person; third-person; written perspective

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Adut, S. L. (2019). Looking Outside of Self and Experience: Effects of Cognitive Distancing on Intrusive Thought Responses [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1578603833148252

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Adut, Sarah. Looking Outside of Self and Experience: Effects of Cognitive Distancing on Intrusive Thought Responses. 2019. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1578603833148252.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Adut, Sarah. "Looking Outside of Self and Experience: Effects of Cognitive Distancing on Intrusive Thought Responses." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1578603833148252

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

miami1578603833148252
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© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University and OhioLINK.