Efficacy of positive replacement thoughts and positive reappraisal as coping strategies for intrusive thoughts

Abstract This study examined relationships between positive replacement thoughts, positive reappraisal, intrusive thoughts, thought uncontrollability, and associations with depression and anxiety. Adults over 18 years old in Japan (N = 176) participated in the study. They rated the level of intrusive thoughts. Then, they recalled a recent intrusive thought-inducing event and responded to questionnaires on the frequency of coping strategies, thought uncontrollability, depression, and anxiety. The findings revealed that higher intrusive thoughts were positively associated with greater thought uncontrollability, depression, and anxiety, whereas reappraisal was negatively correlated. Furthermore, the interaction between replacement thoughts and reappraisal was significant, indicating that the efficacy of reappraisal in reducing thought uncontrollability depended on replacement thought frequency. These results suggest the effectiveness of reappraisal techniques in managing intrusive thoughts and improving mood. However, replacement thoughts should be cautiously used due to possible adverse effects. Further research must explore the suppression target's characteristics and establish causal relationships, possibly using longitudinal studies.