Michelle Moulds’s research while affiliated with UNSW Sydney and other places

Abstract Repetitive Negative Thinking (RNT) during pregnancy is a key risk factor for psychopathology in the perinatal period. However, the cognitive mechanisms underlying prenatal RNT remain poorly understood. Recent research has suggested that a tendency to volitionally seek negative rather than positive information (i.e., biased information seeking) may contribute to the formation of more negative prenatal expectations, which in turn predict elevated prenatal RNT. The current study aimed (i) to replicate the findings of a previous study that demonstrated associations between expectations about parenthood, biased information seeking about parenthood-related information, and RNT, and (ii) examine the generality of the observed effects beyond parenthood by investigating whether biased information seeking and negative expectations show similar associations with prenatal RNT across the other two main domains of prenatal RNT, i.e., pregnancy and childbirth. A total of 126 first-time expecting mothers were recruited online and completed a task that assessed biased information seeking, along with questionnaires measuring prenatal RNT and expectations. Replicating previous findings, biased information seeking predicted stronger negative expectations, which in turn predicted higher prenatal RNT. These effects were consistent across the domains of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenthood, supporting the generality of the findings across these domains. These findings have important implications for expectation-focused interventions and cognitive bias modification procedures aimed at reducing prenatal RNT.

The current study examined the association between elevated prenatal worry and negative expectancies about parenthood and the potential cognitive mechanisms driving such expectancies. Two main hypotheses were examined: First, that negative expectancies about parenthood contribute to elevated prenatal worry, and second, negative selective interrogation of information about parenthood contributes to the formation of more negative expectancies about parenthood. The study recruited 92 first-time pregnant women and evaluated their prenatal worry, parenthood expectancies, and tendency to volitionally choose negative rather than positive information about parenthood (i.e., demonstrate a negative interrogation bias). Our findings revealed a significant association between negative expectancies about parenthood and elevated prenatal worry. Additionally, those with a negative interrogation bias were more likely to hold negative expectancies concerning parenthood. The relationship between this bias and prenatal worry was mediated by negative expectancies. Findings are discussed with regards to limitations and potential implications for expectancy-focused interventions for prenatal worry.

Objectives Intrusive thoughts and images in Health Anxiety are poorly understood. The current study aims to explore the rates and nature of health‐related intrusive thoughts and images in people with and without Health Anxiety. Design We used a cross‐sectional interview and survey design recruiting 82 participants (Health Anxiety: n = 37; control: n = 45). Methods Participants completed a diagnostic and clinical interview, and questionnaires to assess experiences and appraisals of intrusive thoughts and images about health. Results Experiencing an intrusive thought or image was common in both groups (Health Anxiety: 89.2%, control: 55.6%). However, the Health Anxiety group reported their intrusive thoughts as more frequent, more distressing, and associated them with more negative emotions than controls. Further, the Health Anxiety group had increased negative appraisals and specific maladaptive behaviours for both intrusive thoughts and intrusive images compared to controls. Conclusions We conclude that, relative to controls, individuals with Health Anxiety experience intrusive thoughts and images more intensely and negatively, have more dysfunctional appraisals of them, and are more likely to respond to them with specific maladaptive behaviours. As such, addressing intrusive thoughts and images as part of cognitive behavioural interventions for Health Anxiety is warranted.

The current study explored the association between elevated prenatal worry and negative expectancies about parenthood and the potential cognitive mechanisms driving such expectancies. Two main hypotheses were examined: First, that negative expectancies about parenthood contribute to elevated prenatal worry, and second, negative selective interrogation of information about parenthood contributes to the formation of more negative expectancies about parenthood. The study recruited 92 first-time pregnant women and evaluated their prenatal worry, parenthood expectancies, and tendency to volitionally choose negative rather than positive information about parenthood (i.e., demonstrate a negative interrogation bias). Our findings revealed a significant association between negative expectancies about parenthood and elevated prenatal worry. Additionally, those with a negative interrogation bias were more likely to hold negative expectancies concerning parenthood. The relationship between this bias and prenatal worry was mediated by negative expectancies. Findings are discussed with regards to limitations and potential implications for expectancy-focused interventions for prenatal worry.