Lab meets real life : a laboratory assessment of spontaneous thought and its ecological validity

People's minds frequently wander towards self-generated thoughts, which are unrelated to external stimuli or demands. These phenomena, referred to as "spontaneous thought" (ST) and "mind wandering" (MW), have previously been linked with both costs and benefits. Current assessments of ST and MW have predominantly been conducted in the laboratory, whereas studies on the ecological validity of such lab-related constructs and their interrelations are rare. The current study examined the stability of ST dimensions assessed in the lab and their predictive value with respect to MW, repetitive negative thought (uncontrollable rumination, RUM), and affect in daily life. Forty-three university students were assessed with the Amsterdam Resting State Questionnaire (2nd version) to assess ten ST dimensions during the resting state in two laboratory sessions, which were separated by five days of electronic ambulatory assessment (AA). During AA, individuals indicated the intensity of MW and RUM, as well as of positive and negative affect in daily life ten times a day. ST dimensions measured in the lab were moderately stable across one week. Five out of ten ST lab dimensions were predicted by mental health-related symptoms or by dispositional cognitive traits. Hierarchical linear models revealed that a number of ST lab dimensions predicted cognitive and affective states in daily life. Mediation analyses showed that RUM, but not MW per se, accounted for the relationship between specific ST lab dimensions and mood in daily life. By using a simple resting state task, we could demonstrate that a number of lab dimensions of spontaneous thought are moderately stable, are predicted by mental health symptoms and cognitive traits, and show plausible associations with categories of self-generated thought and mood in daily life

Happy thoughts: Mind wandering affects mood in daily life

Mind wandering is often thought to have adverse consequences such as to deteriorate mood. However, more recent findings suggest that the effect of mind wandering on mood may depend on the specific thought contents that occur during mind-wandering episodes and may be influenced by trait-like interindividual differences. The current study examined prospective effects of mind wandering (MW) on mood in daily life as well as possible moderating effects of dispositional mindfulness and rumination. Forty-three university students aged 19 to 32 (61% women) filled out questionnaires on trait mindfulness and rumination. Subsequently, they underwent 5 days of electronic ambulatory assessment of MW and positive and negative affect in daily life ten times a day. Prospective models revealed positive effects of MW on mood, and negative affect was lowest when thoughts during MW were most pleasant. Although dispositional rumination and mindfulness significantly affected mood in daily life, no moderating effects of these traits were identified on the association between MW and mood. These results suggest that mind wandering is not a negative phenomenon per se but instead has adaptive consequences that can lead to mood improvements. Our findings highlight the importance of accounting for the thought content of mind-wandering episodes when investigating the functional outcomes of a wandering mind. Given that mind wandering frequently takes place in everyday life, interventions that encourage individuals to shift the content of their mind-wandering experiences towards pleasant topics may have an important impact particularly for clinical populations

Anxiety and rumination moderate menstrual cycle effects on mood in daily life

Evidence for menstrual cycle-related mood fluctuations in the general population of women has been mixed. While most previous research has relied on retrospective self-report and did not consider possible moderators, the present study aimed to examine cycle-related mood variations in daily life and possible moderating effects of anxiety and trait rumination. We examined 59 women aged 18-44 years with natural menstrual cycles between January and October 2012. Mood components of calmness, positive valence, energetic-arousal, and irritability were assessed using smartphones by ambulatory assessment ten times per day on eight days across the cycle. The menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and late luteal phases were each covered by two consecutive assessment days. Moderators were assessed with questionnaires. Hierarchical linear models revealed higher calmness in the luteal and menstrual than in the follicular and ovulatory phase, while menstrual cycle did not exhibit significant main effects on other mood components. Anxiety and ruminative self-reflection moderated the association between menstrual cycle and all mood variables. Specifically, highly anxious and ruminative women showed an increase in irritability, while women with lower anxiety and lower rumination were protected against mood deterioration toward the end of the cycle. Further research could examine whether reducing anxiety and rumination helps to prevent PMS-related syndromes

Descriptive statistics of the main variables assessed in the laboratory and in daily life (N = 43).

<p>Descriptive statistics of the main variables assessed in the laboratory and in daily life (N = 43).</p

Effects of ARSQ 2.0 MW dimensions on mind wandering, rumination, and positive and negative affect in daily life.

<p>Effects of ARSQ 2.0 MW dimensions on mind wandering, rumination, and positive and negative affect in daily life.</p

Hierarchical Linear Models on the Effect of Symptoms and Dispositional Traits on Mind Wandering Dimensions in the Laboratory (ARSQ 2.0, Day 1, Day7, backward regression).

<p>Hierarchical Linear Models on the Effect of Symptoms and Dispositional Traits on Mind Wandering Dimensions in the Laboratory (ARSQ 2.0, Day 1, Day7, backward regression).</p

Stability of the ARSQ 2.0 lab dimensions.

<p>Stability of the ARSQ 2.0 lab dimensions.</p

Mediation effects of daily life mind wandering on the associations between ARSQ 2.0 ST lab dimensions and daily life mood.

<p>Mediation effects of daily life mind wandering on the associations between ARSQ 2.0 ST lab dimensions and daily life mood.</p

Mediating effects of uncontrollable rumination in daily life on the associations between ARSQ 2.0 ST lab dimensions and daily life mood.

<p>Mediating effects of uncontrollable rumination in daily life on the associations between ARSQ 2.0 ST lab dimensions and daily life mood.</p

Schematic representation of the study procedure.

<p>PA = positive affect; NA = negative affect; ARSQ 2.0 = Amsterdam Resting-State Questionnaire Version 2.0.</p