Rumination, automatic thoughts, dysfunctional attitudes and thought suppression as predictors of depression and anxiety symptoms

In this study, rumination, automatic thoughts, dysfunctional attitudes and thougts supression predictive effects on depression and anxiety symptoms were examined in a correlational research design. A total of 281 university students, 66.2% (n = 186) females and 33.8% (n = 95) males, constituted the sample of the research that conducted at a foundation university in Gaziantep. Personal Information Form, Ruminative Response Scale (RRS), Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale Abbreviated Turkish Form (DAS-R-TR), Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ), White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were used as data collection tools. Data were analyzed by SPSS program and multiple regression analysis was used in analysis of research data. The results of the analysis show that, automatic thoughts is the strongest, most significant predictor of both depression and anxiety symptoms. According to the findings of the research, scores from the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire and Ruminative Response Scale Reflecting Thinking subscale significantly predicted depression symptoms while anxiety symptoms significantly predicted from the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, Short Form Ruminative Response Scale total score and White Bear Suppression Inventory. Findings obtained as a result of the research are discussed in the light of the literature. Key words: rumination, automatic thoughts, dysfunctional thoughts, thought supression