The suppression of negative self-referent thoughts

Suppressed thoughts tend to return to mind with renewed vigor. Two studies investigated the correlates and consequences of suppressing negative intrusive thoughts about one's own personal characteristics. In Study 1, 91 college students reported on the techniques they use to cope with negative self-referent intrusive thoughts. Suppression of negative self-referent thoughts was associated with low self-esteem in women, but not in men. In Study 2, 104 college students were randomly assigned to use one of four coping techniques (suppression, focusing, replacement, control) while speaking into a tape recorder about their lives. Use of suppression resulted in somewhat less positive mood and lower self-evaluations for men, but not for women. Explanations for these conflicting findings focus on differences in long- vs. short-term use of suppression.