Rethinking rumination

Sources

• Aldao, A., Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Schweizer, S. (2010). Emotion-regulation strategies across psychopathology: A meta-analytic review. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.11.004

  Level D Meta-analysis

  Supports the claim that rumination shows the largest association with symptoms, with avoidance and suppression also associated. It pools correlational studies, so it is graded D and cannot establish causation.

• Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Wisco, B. E., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). Rethinking rumination. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6924.2008.00088.x

  Level D Review

  Supports the claims that rumination predicts the onset of depression and is associated with several psychopathologies, and that positive distraction relieves depressed mood experimentally. Narrative synthesis of mixed designs.

Sources

• Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. G., Gifford, E. V., Follette, V. M., & Strosahl, K. (1996). Experiential avoidance and behavioral disorders: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.64.6.1152

  Level D Theory

  Supports the claim that experiential avoidance was proposed as a process common to many psychological difficulties. A theoretical argument drawing on diverse research, not a direct test.

• Reed, J., & Ones, D. S. (2006). The effect of acute aerobic exercise on positive activated affect: A meta-analysis. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2005.11.003

  Level A Meta-analysis

  Cited for the claim that acute aerobic exercise increases positive activated affect in the short term. The number and designs of included studies were not re-verified from an abstract, so claims relying on it are held at moderate confidence.

• Fredrickson, B. L., & Kahneman, D. (1993). Duration neglect in retrospective evaluations of affective episodes. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.65.1.45

  Level B Experiment

  Supports the claim of duration neglect: retrospective evaluations were little affected by duration. Film clips in the laboratory, not real-life episodes.

• Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Wisco, B. E., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). Rethinking rumination. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6924.2008.00088.x

  Level D Review

  Supports the claims that rumination predicts the onset of depression and is associated with several psychopathologies, and that positive distraction relieves depressed mood experimentally. Narrative synthesis of mixed designs.

• McEwen, B. S. (1998). Protective and damaging effects of stress mediators. doi:10.1056/NEJM199801153380307

  Level D Review

  Supports the claim that stress mediators protect acutely and contribute to damage when chronically activated or poorly terminated. An influential conceptual review; the allostatic load construct remains debated in measurement.