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Introduction to a Special Issue on the Contrast Avoidance Model

Psychology

Introduction to a Special Issue on the Contrast Avoidance Model

M. G. Newman and A. Przeworski

This special issue presents the contrast avoidance model, proposing that chronic worriers sustain negative emotion through perseverative thought to prevent sharp increases in negative emotion or losses of positive emotion (negative emotional contrasts), while also boosting the chance of sudden positive emotional shifts (positive emotional contrasts). Novel research on the model was conducted by Michelle G. Newman and Amy Przeworski.... show more
Abstract
The current paper introduces the special issue on the contrast avoidance model. The contrast avoidance model theorizes that chronic worriers are afraid of a sharp increase in negative emotion and/or sharp reduction in positive emotion (labeled negative emotional contrasts; NECs). They thus use perseverative thought as means to create and sustain negative emotion to prevent NECS if they were to experience negative events. Further, these individuals are uncomfortable with sustained positive emotion because it leaves them vulnerable to NECs. At the same time, worry increases the probability of positive emotional contrasts (PECs) or sharp increases in positive emotion or decreases in negative emotion when things turn out better than expected or positive events are experienced. Therefore, these individuals generate negative emotion via perseverative thought as a way to avoid NECs and increase the likelihood of PECs. The current special issue provides novel research on the model.
Publisher
J Anxiety Disord.
Published On
Authors
Michelle G. Newman, Amy Przeworski
Tags
contrast avoidance model
chronic worry
negative emotional contrasts (NECs)
positive emotional contrasts (PECs)
perseverative thought
emotion regulation
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