Thought suppression and depression risk

This study examined whether thought suppression moderated the effect of life stress on depression intensification over time. Depression and dispositional thought suppression were measured initially, followed by an assessment of intervening life stress and a reassessment of depression 7 weeks later ( N = 144). For people high in dispositional thought suppression, higher life stress was associated with higher depression at follow-up. At low levels of life stress, higher levels of thought suppression were associated with lower levels of depression. Findings suggest that thought suppression may offer a protective effect at lower levels of life stress; however, as life stress increases, the tendency to suppress negative thoughts may actually contribute to the very emotional state that a person vulnerable to depression is trying to avoid.