Effects of preoccupation on interpersonal recall: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this pilot study was to examine whether priming preoccupation (rumination) in healthy participants adversely affects the processing of interpersonal information.

METHODS

Sixty female undergraduates with moderate or marked preoccupation proneness (selected on the basis of their high preoccupation on eating, shape, and weight issues) were randomized to receive either a general preoccupation prime, a standardized preoccupation prime, or a control prime. Following the prime, participants watched an 8-min videotape of a family interaction and then were asked free recall questions about the tape.

RESULTS

Participants who received the general preoccupation prime scored lower than the other two groups in response to free recall questions regarding emotion-related topics.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that when primed by everyday worries and concerns, individuals prone to preoccupation may have their capacity to recall emotion-related interpersonal information compromised.