Abstract

This study aims to explore where repetitive negative thinking (RNT), a cognitive vulnerability resulting from various pathologies, and looks at different strategies to alleviate the condition. Other studies have found that emotional inhibition is a dondition which precedes the occurrence of RNT, and mindfulness acts as mitigating factor. in this study, we investigated both the role of attachment beyond emotional suppression as the starting point of RNT, and studied which specific components of mindfulness, a multi-faceted construct, contribute to decrease RNT. Korean versions of the Intimacy Experience Scale in Adult Attachment, Korean versions of Self-differentiation Scale for Emotional Avoidance, Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Self-assessment Anxiety Scale, and Experience Questionnaire were administered to a group 353 adults. As assumed, the indirect effect of avoidant attachment, leading to depression through emotional avoidance and RNT, was significant and the moderating effect of decentering upon this serial indirect effect measured as significant as well. Moreover, the same effects were observed in an analysis where anxiety was the dependent measure. These findings suggest that if a person with avoidant attachment selects emotional avoidance as a control strategy, paradoxical activation of RNT can occur, leading to emotional disorders such as depression and anxiety, and that decentering may alleviate these pathological processes. Furthermore, the implications of the finding show that decentering interventions and therapeutic intervention for each variable may sever the relationship between RNT and pathological conditions. Lastly, this study concludes with a discussion of the limitations of the study and directions for future research.