Transdiagnostic Processes in Repetitive Negative Thinking
Summary
Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) encompasses patterns of intrusive, perseverative thoughts such as worry and rumination that recur across diagnostic boundaries. Rather than being confined to a single disorder, RNT operates as a transdiagnostic process, driving the onset and maintenance of anxiety, depression and stress‐related conditions. Characterised by difficulty disengaging from distressing thoughts, a sense of unproductiveness and high intrusiveness, RNT has been linked to heightened negative affect, impaired problem‐solving and dysregulated physiological stress responses. Neurobiological studies implicate altered connectivity within prefrontal and limbic networks, while elevated biomarkers of chronic stress suggest that sustained RNT amplifies allostatic load. Behaviourally, RNT undermines adaptive coping, increases vulnerability to future stressors and can shape health behaviours in ways that perpetuate risk. Intervention approaches targeting RNT directly—ranging from cognitive restructuring to digital self‐help and mindfulness techniques—have shown promise in reducing symptom severity and preventing relapse, underscoring the global significance of this cognitive‐emotional mechanism.
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Transdiagnostic Processes in Repetitive Negative Thinking publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in transdiagnostic processes in repetitive negative thinking across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Repetitive negative thinking (RNT): A style of persistent, uncontrollable negative thought including worry and rumination, spanning multiple disorders.
Transdiagnostic process: A psychological mechanism that contributes to the onset and maintenance of diverse mental health conditions.
Rumination: Repetitive focus on symptoms of distress and their possible causes and consequences, typically associated with depression.
Worry: A chain of thoughts and images, predominantly negative and future‐oriented, often associated with anxiety.
Allostatic load: The cumulative physiological wear and tear resulting from chronic stress exposure and maladaptive coping.
References
- Evaluating the Effects of a Self-Help Mobile Phone App on Worry and Rumination Experienced by Young Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth (2024).
- Sex differences in the association between repetitive negative thinking and neurofilament light. npj Mental Health Research (2024).
- Impact of a Momentary Mindfulness Intervention on Rumination, Negative Affect, and their Dynamics in Daily Life. Affective Science (2025).
- Perseverative Cognition and Health Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (2016).
- Evidence for Transdiagnostic Repetitive Negative Thinking and Its Association with Rumination, Worry, and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms: A Commonality Analysis. Collabra Psychology (2018).
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