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Individual Three Minute Open Paper

Basic processes and experimental psychopathology

Transdiagnostic Processes and Culturally Adapted Interventions in Mood and Anxiety Disorders

4 - (3-MIN 2) Investigating the Relationship Between Perseverative Negative Thinking and Disrupted Sleep in the Laboratory And daily Life

Friday, June 26, 2026
12:08 PM - 12:19 PM PDT
Location: Yerba Buena Salon 2, B3 Level
Keywords: Sleep, Mood, Cognitive Processes
Recommended Readings: Nota, J. A., & Coles, M. E. (2015). Duration and Timing of Sleep are Associated with Repetitive Negative Thinking. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 39(2), 253–261. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-014-9651-7,   Harvey, A. G. (2002). A cognitive model of insomnia. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 40(8), 869–893. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7967(01)00061-4,   Kalmbach, D. A., Pillai, V., Arnedt, J. T., & Ciesla, J. A. (2017). Reciprocal dynamics between self-rated sleep and symptoms of depression and anxiety in young adult women: A 14-day diary study. Sleep Medicine, 33, 6–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2016.03.014,   ,  
It is well accepted that perseverative negative thinking (e.g., worry, rumination; PNT) can lead to sleep disruption (SD) at night. However, recent literature also suggests that SD may predict further PNT during the day. Thus, it may be that the relationship between SD and PNT is bidirectional in nature, contributing to the development and maintenance of sleep and emotional problems, which often co-occur. This research aimed to investigate this possible bidirectional relationship both in lab and in vivo. To do so, participants (N=340) completed a measure of self-reported SD over the past month (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI) and an assessment of PNT (Mind Wandering Task; MWT) in the laboratory. Following this, participants completed a 10-day in vivo Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) programme to measure daily relationships between SD and PNT. Results revealed that self-reported SD over the past month was associated with observed PNT in the laboratory (r=.14, p=.012). EMA data were assessed with Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). A cross-lagged model revealed that increased SD predicted higher next-day PNT (β = .09, 95% CI [.14, .04]), and higher daily PNT predicted increased SD on subsequent nights (β = .08, 95% CI [.14, .02]). These findings suggest that self-reported SD is associated with PNT, and this effect can be observed in the laboratory. Critically, the relationship between PNT and SD in daily life is shown to be bidirectional such that they dynamically influence each other. Results highlight PNT as a plausible mechanism linking mood and sleep disorders and provide a methodology for examining this association in daily life.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the reciprocal relationship between sleep and emotional problems, and the role of perseverative negative thinking as a plausible mechanism linking these clinical problems.