STATE AND TRAIT INFLUENCES OF REPETITIVE NEGATIVE THINKING ON WORKING MEMORY PERFORMANCE

Abstract Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) has been associated with faster cognitive decline and accumulation of Alzheimer’s disease pathology in otherwise healthy older adults. According to the debt hypothesis, RNT functions as a psychological mechanism that depletes resources increases vulnerability for dementia. The aim this project was examine trait state influences on working memory performance daily life. Data were drawn from ESCAPE study, systematic probability sample recruited residents Bronx, NY. Participants (n = 265, aged 25-65, 64.9% female) completed brief ecological momentary assessments smartphone five times per day 14 days, including ratings current thought valence (pleasant-unpleasant) task. Multi-level models used disaggregate (between-person) (within-person) effects performance, while controlling demographic contextual covariates. also included linear quadratic time session number account retest across assessment period. At moments when individuals experiencing more unpleasant thoughts than usual (state RNT), they made significantly errors (β= 0.013, SE 0.004, p .002). However, there no significant relationship between performance. results study provide support potential deplete moment, thus contributing poorer