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Associations between coping, thought control and psychological distress

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 September 2016

Kathryn Ragan ,
Lauren Pugh ,
Amy Degnan  and
Katherine Berry
Kathryn Ragan
Affiliation:
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Lauren Pugh
Affiliation:
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Amy Degnan
Affiliation:
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Katherine Berry*
Affiliation:
School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
*
*Author for correspondence: Dr K. Berry, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, 2nd Floor, Zochonis Building, Brunswick Street, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK (katherine.berry@manchester.ac.uk)
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Abstract

Ways of coping with stressful situations can be categorized as problem-focused, emotion-focused, and dysfunctional. Methods of controlling intrusive thoughts, which are frequently associated with psychological distress, have also been classified into different subgroups. This study assesses associations between methods of coping and thought control, and how these relate to distress. Sixty-eight participants were recruited from outpatient psychology services and completed measures of distress, coping, and thought control. Problem-focused coping strategies and both distraction and social thought-control strategies were associated with each other and with lower distress. Conversely, dysfunctional coping strategies and both worry and punishment thought-control strategies were associated with each other and with higher distress. Future research and the clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords

Copingdistressthought controltransdiagnostic
Type
Original Research
Information
the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist , Volume 9 , 2016 , e16
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2016 

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References

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