KEYNOTE ABSTRACTS

Evidence for a Metacognitive Model and Treatment of Depressive Rumination

Persistent, recyclic, negative thinking, in the form of rumination, is a salient cognitive feature of dysphoria and major depressive disorder. Empirical evidence has shown that rumination is linked to the development, maintenance, and recurrence of depression. Knowledge of the mechanisms associated with the initiation and perpetuation of rumination in depression can assist us in enhancing further our understanding of depression, and importantly, maximising the effectiveness of current psychological interventions. Wells and Matthews’ (1994) Self-Regulatory Executive Function (S-REF) theory of psychological disorders suggests that vulnerability to, and maintenance of, disorders is associated with metacognitions that lead to monitoring of threat, self-focused attention, and activation of repetitive, negative thinking styles, such as rumination and worry, as coping strategies. Grounded on this theory, Papageorgiou and Wells (2003, 2004) tested a clinical metacognitive model of rumination and depression. In this model, positive metacognitive beliefs about rumination are likely to motivate individuals to engage in sustained rumination. Once rumination is activated, individuals may appraise this process as both uncontrollable and harmful and likely to lead to negative interpersonal and social consequences. The activation of negative metacognitive beliefs about rumination contributes to the experience of depression. In this keynote address, cross-sectional and prospective studies supporting the role of metacognition in depressive rumination will be presented together with data supporting the effectiveness of metacognitive therapy for rumination and depression (Wells, 2008; Wells & Papageorgiou, 2004).

References

Papageorgiou, C. & Wells, A. (2003). An empirical test of a clinical metacognitive model of rumination and depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 27, 261-273.

Papageorgiou, C. & Wells, A. (2004). Depressive rumination: Nature, theory and treatment. Chichester, UK: Wiley.

Wells, A. (2008). Metacognitive therapy for anxiety and depression. New York, NY: Guilford.

Wells, A. & Matthews, G. (1994). Attention and emotion: A clinical perspective. Hove, UK: Erlbaum.
Wells, A. & Papageorgiou, C. (2004). Metacognitive therapy for depressive rumination. In C. Papageorgiou & A. Wells (Eds.), Depressive rumination: Nature, theory and treatment. Chichester, UK: Wiley.