Preservative Thinking and Acceptance without Judgment: How they Differ in People with/without Major Depression and Anxiety Problems

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Volume 25 Num. 1

Volume 25 Num. 1 - March 2025

Preservative Thinking and Acceptance without Judgment: How they Differ in People with/without Major Depression and Anxiety Problems

Volume 25 Num. 1 - March 2025 - Pages 127-139

Authors:

Modi Alsubaie

Modalsubaie@ksu.edu.sa

Abstract:

Persistent or repetitive negative thinking, also known as negative cognitive processes (e.g., rumination and worry), can be associated with various mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. Acceptance without judgment, on the other hand, has been proposed as a protective factor against a wide range of psychological problems by targeting risk factors such as rumination and worry, thereby lowering depression and anxiety. These processes and their mediating effects have received little attention in Arab societies. This study aimed to examine ruminative brooding, reflective pondering, worry, and acceptance without judgment in Saudi participants with/without major depression and anxiety problems. This study aimed to establish a groundwork for upcoming initiatives to adapt mindfulness interventions to the Saudi and Arab cultures. The study included 101 participants (63 women) with a mean age of 35 (SD= 7.8, range= 20-60 years) Participants completed self-reported measures assessing ruminative brooding, reflective pondering, worry, acceptance without judgment, depression, and anxiety. The clinical group (n= 33) had higher levels of ruminative brooding, reflective pondering, worry, depression, and anxiety, as well as a lower level of acceptance without judgment than the non-clinical group (n= 68). Females scored higher than males on generalized anxiety and worry. The mediational analyses showed that reflective pondering and worry partially mediate the relationship between acceptance without judgment and depression, whereas ruminative brooding did not. Worry also partially mediated the relationship between acceptance without judgment and anxiety, whereas reflective pondering and ruminative brooding did not. More research needs to be done to determine what role repetitive negative processes and mindfulness skills play in understanding depression and anxiety in Arab and Saudi people.

How to cite this paper:
Alsubaie, M (2025). Preservative thinking and Acceptance without Judgment: How they differ in people with/without major depression and anxiety problems. International Journal of Psychology & Psychological Therapy, 25, 1, 127-139.

Key words:

ruminative brooding, reflective pondering, worry, acceptance without judgment, depression, anxiety

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International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy

Volume 25 Num. 1 - March 2025