Study explains why negative thoughts are hard to shake off
Jakarta (ANTARA) — Have you ever considered the worst possible outcome of an event, only for that thought to keep circling in your mind even after the situation has changed? Recent research shows that negative thoughts can become harder to release when they interact with emotions and the habit of repeatedly dwelling on a problem.
According to a report by Psychology Today on Monday (31/8) local time, the study found that a person can become trapped in a negative interpretation of a situation that in fact still holds many possibilities.
For example, when a message sent to a friend goes unanswered, a person may initially think their friend is simply busy. However, after seeing the friend active on social media, the thought arises that they are being avoided or have upset their friend.
The problem is not merely the emergence of negative thoughts, but the ability to change that view when new information arrives. A person may continue to believe their friend is angry even after receiving an explanation that the friend really was busy.
The study’s results showed that participants who experienced more symptoms of depression and social anxiety tended to find it harder to let go of negative interpretations.
The researchers also found a reciprocal relationship between negative thoughts and emotions. When someone finds it more difficult to release a negative interpretation, they subsequently tend to experience more negative emotions. Conversely, when their mood worsens, they are also more likely to cling to a negative interpretation of an unclear situation.
The habit of repeatedly thinking about the same problem, known as rumination, also reinforces this cycle. A negative interpretation can keep a person dwelling on a problem, whilst that habit in turn makes the negative thought even harder to release.
Jonas Everaert, Ph.D., one of the researchers and an assistant professor of clinical psychology at Tilburg University as well as a senior researcher at KU Leuven, explained that this relationship shows a two-way influence between thought and emotion.
In other words, when a negative thought arises, a person does not have to replace it immediately with a positive one. They can try to consider other possible explanations and see whether any new information might change their initial view.
The researchers also noted that managing emotions can help a person think more flexibly. Reducing pressure, breaking the habit of dwelling repeatedly on a problem, seeking support from others, or redirecting attention towards positive experiences could be several approaches that warrant further study.
Nevertheless, the study still only shows relationships between psychological processes and has not yet proven causation. Further research is needed to determine whether particular strategies can genuinely help a person release negative interpretations more easily.