4 - (SYM 56) Why Do Individuals with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depression Engage in Worry and Rumination? : A Momentary Assessment Study of Positive Contrast Enhancement

Abstract Body
The contrast avoidance model (CAM) suggests that individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) use worry as a coping mechanism to sustain negative emotionality and thus avoid a sharp negative shift in emotion. Maintenance of negative mood also increases the probability of subsequent decreased negative affect and increased positive affect (positive emotional contrast; PEC) when worried outcomes turn out better than expected, which in turn reinforces worry. However, the occurrence of PECs via increased positive affect and its application to rumination are unclear. Using an experience sampling design, we examined the effects of worry and rumination on PECs in response to relief and positive events. Participants with GAD (N = 51), major depressive disorder (MDD) (N = 48), or without psychopathology (N = 85) rated the occurrence of relief and positive events, emotions, repetitive thoughts 8 prompts/day for 8 days. For both relief and positive events, higher vs. lower worry and rumination were associated with greater decreased anxiety and sadness, and greater increased happiness after the event, regardless of group. Participants with (vs. without) GAD/MDD reported higher ratings on intentionally thinking pessimistically to be pleasantly surprised when something good happened. The results suggest that worry and rumination enhance PECs via decreased negative and increased positive affect in response to relief and generally positive events. Individuals with GAD/MDD appear to intentionally use worry and rumination to increase the chance of PECs in daily life.