Fleckhammer, L: Insight into the Self-Absorption Paradox

The tendency to be self-aware (self-focused) contributes to psychological well-being, yet, high levels of self-focus are also linked to psychological distress. This contradiction may be due to specific cognitive styles of ruminative or reflective thinking. A newly proposed typology of coping and adjustment, based on different combinations of rumination and reflection, was investigated. Research participants were categorised as belonging to one of four groups based on their levels of ruminative or reflective self-focus and examined on a number of variables. The pattern of relationships that emerged was consistent with expectations that only adaptable individuals (low on rumination, high on reflection) would have little association with symptoms of psychological distress whereas the three other groups, repressives, sensitiser and vulnerable would. The data provides a clinician with the knowledge that awareness of cognitive styles, whether a person is a self-focused ruminator or self-focused reflector, is important in assessing their suitability for particular therapeutic techniques.