'When suppression backfires': the ironic effects of suppressing eating-related thoughts

J Health Psychol. 2006 Sep;11(5):655-68. doi: 10.1177/1359105306066615.

Abstract

Based on Wegner's Ironic Processing Theory, this study examines the effects of suppressing eating-related thoughts in a sample of 77 female students. A distinction was made between disinhibited restrainers (high dietary restraint/high disinhibition), inhibited restrainers (high dietary restraint/low disinhibition) and low restrainers. Results indicate that disinhibited restrainers used thought suppression more often and were the only group to show a rebound effect for eating-related thoughts after suppression. No effects of suppression on willingness and desire to eat emerged. Hence, thought suppression may be counterproductive at least for a subgroup of restrainers and may fuel eating-related preoccupations. More research is required to evaluate effects on eating behaviour.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Affect
  • Attention*
  • Awareness
  • Defense Mechanisms*
  • Diet, Reducing / psychology
  • Eating*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / diagnosis
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inhibition, Psychological*
  • Intention
  • Motivation
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychological Theory*
  • Psychometrics
  • Students / psychology
  • Thinking*