The Effects of Stoic Training and Adaptive Working Memory Training on Emotional Vulnerability in High Worriers

MacLellan, Alexander; Derakshan, Nazanin

doi:10.1007/s10608-020-10183-4

Original Article
Published: 01 January 2021

The Effects of Stoic Training and Adaptive Working Memory Training on Emotional Vulnerability in High Worriers

Cognitive Therapy and Research volume 45, pages 730–744 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background

Previous research has indicated a causal relationship between attentional control and anxiety with literature finding that attentional control training combined with mindfulness meditation may lead to cognitive improvements in high worriers. The current study investigates whether the practical application of Stoicism, a philosophy originating from the Hellenistic period, will provide similar self-report and cognitive improvement in a sample of high worriers.

Methods

45 high worriers were randomly allocated into one of three training groups: an active control 1-back, a combined adaptive dual n-back and Stoic training and a Stoic training only group. Participants were tested on anxiety and rumination as well as measures of attentional control and a nascent scale to measure Stoic ideation, pre- and post- an 8-session training period.

Results

Results found significant effects of Stoic training on rumination and self-efficacy. Text analyses of the Stoic training found reduced frequencies of anxious and negatively valenced words questions related to self-assessments and planning.

Conclusions

The study provides a positive foundation for the further research and development of Stoic training. The wider implications of these results are discussed.

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Affective and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck University of London, Malet Street, London, UK
Alexander MacLellan & Nazanin Derakshan

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Alexander MacLellan
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Nazanin Derakshan
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Correspondence to Alexander MacLellan.

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The study received approval from the Ethics Committee of the Department of Psychological Sciences at Birkbeck College, University of London.

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MacLellan, A., Derakshan, N. The Effects of Stoic Training and Adaptive Working Memory Training on Emotional Vulnerability in High Worriers. Cogn Ther Res 45, 730–744 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-020-10183-4

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Accepted: 16 November 2020
Published: 01 January 2021
Issue Date: August 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-020-10183-4

Keywords

Attentional control
Rumination
Working memory training
Mixed methods research