Effects of inhibitory mechanisms and thought suppression tendency on the frequency and intensity of traumatic intrusions

---

Thesis Type: Postgraduate

Institution Of The Thesis: Middle East Technical University, Faculty Of Arts And Sciences, Department Of Psychology, Turkey

Approval Date: 2011

Thesis Language: English

Student: ORHAN FERHAT YARAR

Principal Supervisor (For Co-Supervisor Theses): Ayşe Nuray Karancı

Co-Supervisor: Mine Mısırlısoy Bıyıkoğlu

Abstract:

The present study investigates the effects of cognitive inhibitory mechanisms and tendency to suppress thoughts on the frequency and intensity of traumatic intrusions within the trauma film paradigm. Non clinical participants’ response inhibition and proactive inhibition levels and tendency to suppress thoughts were measured prior to exposure to a trauma film. One week after seeing the trauma film, participants reported the frequency and intensity of trauma film related intrusions with an intrusion diary and Impact of Events Scale. No significant effect of response inhibition, proactive inhibition and thought suppression tendency was found on the frequency and intensity of trauma film related intrusions. Findings of the study are discussed.