Mind-Wandering and Depressive Symptoms: Does Self-Focused Attention Mediate the Links?

Abstract

Mind-wandering is a shifting of attention from the here and now, towards thoughts that are not related to the task at hand. Many studies have demonstrated that excessive mind-wandering is associated with symptoms of psychopathology, including depression. Recent research on Mind-Wandering has shifted to examining the content of mind-wandering episodes to determine the variability in outcomes associated with it. Keeping this in mind, the present study sought to examine whether self-focused attention in the form of rumination and self-reflection independently mediate the relationship between mind-wandering and depressive symptoms. A sample of 270 university students participated in the study by filling a series of self-report questionnaires. Regression analyses and bootstrapping were used to test the proposed indirect pathways. Results indicated that both rumination and, contrary to hypothesized associations, self-reflection partially mediate the association between mind-wandering and depressive symptoms. The current findings have important implications for practice and theory by attempting to provide a deeper understanding of the variability in consequences of Mind-Wandering, and suggesting therapy techniques that can be used to counter the negative effects of mind-wandering on mental health.