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Journal of Health Psychology
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‘When Suppression Backfires’

The Ironic Effects of Suppressing Eating-related Thoughts

Barbara Soetens

Ghent University, Belgium, Barbara.Soetens{at}UGent.be

Caroline Braet

Ghent University, Belgium

Peter Dejonckheere

Ghent University, Belgium

Arne Roets

Ghent University, Belgium

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.

Key Words: dietary restraint • disinhibition • preoccupation • thought suppression

Journal of Health Psychology, Vol. 11, No. 5, 655-668 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1359105306066615
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