From a Distance: Implications of Spontaneous Self-Distancing for Adaptive Self-Reflection

Although recent experimental work indicates that self-distancing facilitates adaptive self-reflection. It remains unclear (a) whether spontaneous self-distancing leads to similar adaptive outcomes, (b) how spontaneous self-distancing relates to avoidance, and (c) how this strategy impacts interpersonal behavior Three studies examined these issues demonstrating that the more participants spontaneously self-distanced while reflecting on negative memories, the less emotional (Studies 1-3) and cardiovascular (Study 2) reactivity they displayed in the short term Spontaneous self-distancing was also associated with lower emotional reactivity and intrusive ideation over time (Study 1) The negative association between spontaneous self-distancing and emotional reactivity was mediated by how participants construed their experience (i.e., less recounting relative to reconstruing) rather than avoidance (Studies 1-2) In addition. spontaneous self-distancing was associated with more problem-solving behavior and less reciprocation of negativity during conflicts among couples in ongoing relationships (Study 3) Although spontaneous self-distancing was empirically related to trait rumination. it explained unique valiance in predicting key outcomes