Shifting away from negative inferences affects rumination and mood

Abstract

In three studies, we examined the effect of shifting from a negative to a positive inference for a negative personal event, on mood, state rumination, and next-day inferences, and assessed whether trait brooding moderates these effects. Participants described a personal event and made two inferences for it. Studies 1 and 2 showed that instructing participants to shift from a negative to a positive inference, improved mood and decreased state rumination, compared to a no-shift condition. Lasting effects of this shift were observed on the next day, but not among high brooders. In Study 3, trait brooding was associated with less shifting from a negative to a positive inference, when participants were free to make any inference following a negative one. These findings highlight the benefits of shifting from negative to positive inferences for mood and state rumination. We also discuss the potential of shifting for brooders, who do not shift spontaneously but can do so with guidance, offering a potential intervention to enhance emotion regulation.

Keywords: Brooding; Depression; Inferential flexibility; Inferential shift; Inferential style.