Impact of Self-Generated Thoughts on Anxiety Symptoms among University Students: Mediating Role of Rumination

Sadaf Ahsan; Iqra Kiran; Ayisha Naz

Abstract:

The present study ai med to investigate the impact of self - generated thoughts (daydreaming) on symptoms of anxiety among university students. Furthermore, mediating role of rumination was also studied. A sample of 300 university students aged 18 - 2 8 years and with minimum educa tion of 14 years was collected through purposive sampling technique from different universities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Self - report measures including Day - Dreaming Frequency S ubs cale of Imaginal Process Inventory (Singer & Antrobus, 1970) Ruminative R esponse Scale (Treynor , Gonzalez, & Nolen - Hoeksema , 2003), and Beck Anxiety Inventory (Beck , Epstein, Brown, & Steer, 1988) were administered to measure study variables . Results yielded self - generated thoughts as a significant positive predictor of anxiety symptoms , whereas rumination was found to significantly predict anxiety in positive direction. Moreover, rumination mediated the relationship between self - generated thoughts and symptoms of anxiety. Female students scored sig nificantly higher on daydreami ng, rumination , and anxiety symptoms as compared to male university students. This study will be helpful for mental health professionals to gain a better understanding that how daydreaming can have an impact on individual’s co gnition and thus can raise mor e awareness about dangers associated with excessive daydreaming. Keywords : s elf - generated thoughts, daydreaming, anxiety, rumination, university students A nxiety depicts numerous physiological and mental conditions, including a person’s conscious mode of worry over a potential

research from:

• Foundation University - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Year:

2020

Type of Publication:

Article

Journal:

Pakistan Journal of Psychological Research.

Volume:

35

Number:

1

Pages:

37-51

Month:

3

DOI:

http://pjprnip.edu.pk/index.php/pjpr/article/view/36/28