A Temporal Investigation of the Relationship Between Difficulty Concentrating and Perseverative Thought

Perseverative thought (also known as repetitive thought), an established transdiagnostic mechanism for the development of psychopathology, is characterized primarily by its repetitive, difficult to control quality. Cognitive control deficits, particularly subjective difficulty concentrating, are commonly reported by individuals high in perseverative thought. These deficits may function as both a mechanism and a clinical consequence of perseverative thought. Although cognitive theories suggest a bidirectional relationship between perseverative thought and difficulty concentrating, experimental and longitudinal investigations provide mixed evidence regarding directionality. The current study thus addresses this gap by examining the temporal dynamics between perseverative thought and difficulty concentrating using an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) design. Adult community participants (N = 95) reported their momentary severity of perseverative thought and difficulty concentrating 8 times a day for 14 days. Multilevel modeling with signals nested within subjects tested concurrent and time-lagged associations. Difficulty concentrating and perseverative thought were concurrently associated within-person. Difficulty concentrating at time T-1 predicted higher perseverative thought within-person at time T, and perseverative thought at time T-1 predicted higher difficulty concentrating within-person at time T. Findings held when controlling for the outcome at time T-1. These findings affirm and extend prior between-person research by establishing covariation between difficulty concentrating and perseverative thought within-person in daily life. Findings further support theoretical models predicting these relationships as bidirectional. Directions for future research include probing causality via momentary experimental approaches and exploring the potential for clinical translation via just-in-time adaptive interventions.