| Unpleasant or traumatic experiences can adversely affect an individual.s life course, in part, as a result of excessive rumination over the traumatic event and undue worry about anticipated future events (Nolen-Hoeksema, Wisco & Lyubomirsky, 2008; Morrison & O.Connor, 2005). The potential toll of these chronic stressors is significant, and may dramatically diminish happiness, mental health, varied measures of physical health, and general well-being (Lyubomirsky & Tkach, 2004; Nolen-Hoeksema, 2004). Consequently, seeking guidance and improved coping methods represent common means of adapting to such difficult events. In prior work, a number of approaches have been developed to help individuals cope with rumination about traumatic past experiences (Frattaroli, 2006; Lyubomirsky, Sousa, & Dickerhoof, 2006; Smyth, 1998; Nolen-Hoeksema et al., 2008). Relatively few approaches, however, have specifically targeted excessive worry about future experiences (Nolen-Hoeksema et al., 2008), and even fewer have emphasized a careful planning-based approach that may enhance both present and future coping. The current study examined the potential benefit of the problem-based writing approach (Pennebaker, 1997), both alone, and in combination with a planning-based tool developed in our laboratory (ACED IT; Kreitler et al., 2009). Given the solid track record of the problem-based writing approach in helping individuals diminish harmful rumination, and the proven efficacy of ACED IT in promoting a long-term planning, we anticipate that the combination of these cognitive tools will provide a more effective means of coping than other approaches, even more so than a novel variant of the problem-based writing approach that places emphasis upon future coping. |
