Effects of suppressing negative self-referent thoughts on mood and self-esteem

Researchers have implicated thought suppression as a factor in the etiology and maintenance of a variety of psychological disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression, but have virtually ignored the potentially harmful effects of suppression on self-esteem. In the current study, we examined the effects of suppressing negative self-referent thoughts on subsequent state self-esteem and mood. Participants who suppressed their negative thoughts, compared to those who did not, experienced lower state self-esteem and more anxious and depressed mood. In addition, participants who rated their thoughts as highly depressing were particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of suppression. The results emphasize the importance of examining the consequences to the self-concept and mood of suppressing negative self-referent thoughts.