Cognitive reactivity to low positive and high negative affect. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yinghao; Cole, David A.; Mick, Cassandra R.; Lovette, Abbegail J.; Gabruk, Megan E.
• Is Part Of: Behaviour research and therapy. Volume 132(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: Cognitive reactivity -- Positive affect -- Negative affect -- Depression -- Daily diary; Cognitive therapy -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2020.103683
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7967

Abstract

Abstract: Cognitive Reactivity (CR), an established diathesis for depression, has been defined as the within-person strength of association between sad affect and dysfunctional attitudes. Watson and Tellegen (1985) proposed that sad affect is a combination of high negative affect (NA) and low positive affect (PA). The current study integrated the CR and the affect literatures by examining the differential and conjoint roles of cognitive reactivity to high negative affect (CR-highNA) and cognitive reactivity to low positive affect (CR-lowPA). In the current study, college student participants completed daily diary measures of CR-highNA, CR-lowPA, and CR to sadness (CR-Sad). Results showed that naturally occurring NA and PA accounted for the relation of sadness to dysfunctional cognitions. Further, the relation of depressive symptoms to CR-Sad was explained by high levels of CR-highNA and CR-lowPA. Born out of the integration of research on CR and affective structures, the current results have implications for both theory and treatment of depression. Highlights: Negative affect (NA) was positively associated with dysfunctional cognitions. Positive affect (PA) was negatively associated with dysfunctional cognitions. NA and PA accounted for the relation of sadness to dysfunctional cognitions. Depressive symptoms were predicted by cognitive reactivity (CR) to sadness, NA, and PA. Role of CR-sadness in depression was explained by CR-NA and CR-PA.