Constructive and unconstructive repetitive thought.

Edward R Watkins

March 2008 Psychol Bull

Synopsis of Social media discussions

Discussions show strong agreement with the article's ideas, highlighted by posts praising Watkins' framework and suggesting practical benefits like better mental health strategies, with words like 'enjoyed,' 'need,' and 'make a difference' emphasizing their engagement and perceived impact.

A
Agreement
 Moderate agreement

Most discussions reflect support or positive acknowledgment of Watkins' classification of repetitive thought, indicating general agreement with the research's conclusions.

I
Interest
 High level of interest

The discussions express high interest, with users referencing specific papers and exploring practical implications like therapy and mental health benefits.

E
Engagement
 Moderate level of engagement

Participants cite personal applications, mention of collaborations, and reflections on the research, demonstrating meaningful engagement.

I
Impact
 Moderate level of impact

The discourse suggests that the publication influences clinical and research approaches, as seen in mentions of improving therapy and mental health understanding.

Social Mentions

YouTube

2 Videos

Bluesky

1 Posts

Facebook

3 Posts

Twitter

14 Posts

Blogs

14 Articles

News

16 Articles

Metrics

Video Views

6,876

Total Likes

287

Extended Reach

71,065

Social Features

50

Timeline: Posts about article

Top Social Media Posts

Posts referencing the article

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Abby Medcalf PhD

June 11, 2024

3,171 views

  • Emily, a Two-Shoes-Gooder
    @rebelmusicteach.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    Citations 2&3: Watkins, E.R. (2008). Constructive and unconstructive repetitive thought. Psychological Bulletin, 134, 163–206. Watkins, E.R., & Roberts, H. (2020). Reflecting on rumination: Consequences, causes, mechanisms and treatment of rumination. Behavior Research and Therapy, 127.
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    July 15, 2025

    1

  • Justin Marley
    @TAWOP (Twitter)

    Constructive and unconstructive repetitive thought https://t.co/D1pdN13hwF
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    August 24, 2024

  • Rebecca Weitzel
    @rweitzel0913 (Twitter)

    @rationulanimul @LisaBloom .. in case I recall more doctors or coaches that I love. Psychologist Abby: https://t.co/lUOJ9os1si
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    July 6, 2024

  • Prof Miranda Wolpert
    @mirandarwolpert (Twitter)

    RT @ERWatkins2: You will be joining a top 10 UK psychology department with strong clinical psychology group @barneydunn75 @heatherWillis18…
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    October 3, 2023

    1

  • Edward Watkins
    @ERWatkins2 (Twitter)

    You will be joining a top 10 UK psychology department with strong clinical psychology group @barneydunn75 @heatherWillis18 @nickmoberly & collaborating (incl travel) with partners in California Germany Australia @UCLA @ThomasEhring @MichelleMoulds https://t.co/cUu3BQYZDG 5/6
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    October 3, 2023

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    1

  • Edward Watkins
    @ERWatkins2 (Twitter)

    Make a difference and take forward #transdiagnostic research to improve #therapy. Experimental, clinical, #EMA, #qualitative skills all relevant. Opportunities & funds for further training. 6/8 https://t.co/cUu3BQYZDG
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    August 6, 2023

    1

  • na zhang
    @nazhang_phd (Twitter)

    I have enjoyed this paper by Watkins 2008. Need to have more constructive, experience-based vs. analytical & over-generalizing thoughts for wisdom to emerge... Constructive and Unconstructive Repetitive Thought https://t.co/PnGjg944Sl
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    January 12, 2022

    1

  • Dennis Lee
    @DennisL73061433 (Twitter)

    Psychological Bulletin Psychol Bull. 2008 Mar; 134(2): 163–206. doi: 10.1037/0033-2909.134.2.163 PMCID: PMC2672052 PMID: 18298268 Constructive and Unconstructive Repetitive Thought Edward R. Watkins Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer
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    July 4, 2021

  • Marine Mas is @phdmas@sciences.social on
    @PhdMas (Twitter)

    late-night pleasant reading
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    April 2, 2021

    1

  • PSIQUIATRÍA INPRFM
    @INPRFM (Twitter)

    #psychology #psychiatry #mentalhealthsupport #mentalillness #mentalhealthrecovery #mentalwellness #mentalhealthmatters #strength #selfcare #instamentalhealth #instaselfcare Watkins, E. R. (2008). Constructive and Unconstructive Repetitive Thought. https://t.co/kq8FV67ogx
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    March 13, 2021

    1

  • Nurul Hanan Arifin
    @NhananNLI (Twitter)

    RT @zulyusmardotcom: Source on worrying is linked to better health habits. Watkins E. R. (2008). Constructive and unconstructive repetiti…
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    May 30, 2020

    8

  • azfar iskandar
    @azfariskandar (Twitter)

    RT @zulyusmardotcom: Source on worrying is linked to better health habits. Watkins E. R. (2008). Constructive and unconstructive repetiti…
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    May 26, 2020

    8

  • zhulianjgm
    @zhulianjgm (Twitter)

    RT @zulyusmardotcom: Source on worrying is linked to better health habits. Watkins E. R. (2008). Constructive and unconstructive repetiti…
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    May 25, 2020

    8

  • Gangsta Gastino
    @TrafalgarZul (Twitter)

    RT @zulyusmardotcom: Source on worrying is linked to better health habits. Watkins E. R. (2008). Constructive and unconstructive repetiti…
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    May 25, 2020

    8

  • ZulYusmar.com
    @zulyusmardotcom (Twitter)

    Source on worrying is linked to better health habits. Watkins E. R. (2008). Constructive and unconstructive repetitive thought. Psychological bulletin, 134(2), 163–206. https://t.co/yj3FI5eFvr
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    May 25, 2020

    15

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Abstract Synopsis

  • Repetitive thought (RT) can lead to both positive outcomes like recovery from trauma and health promotion, or negative outcomes such as depression and anxiety, depending on factors like the content's emotional tone, context, and level of abstraction during thinking.
  • The review suggests that understanding whether RT is constructive or unconstructive depends on its valence, the situational context, and whether people are thinking in abstract or concrete terms.
  • The control theory model, especially an expanded version, is proposed as the most effective framework for explaining how RT results in these different consequences.]