Kent State study addresses how negative thoughts over time can significantly impact your mental health
By Sydney Brown
Humans have around 70,000 thoughts a day, according to the Cleveland Clinic. And with so many thoughts each day ongoing negativity could bring an onset of depression. Research from Kent State University suggests that indulging in negative thoughts can lead to depression if an individual has a low distress tolerance and consistent negative thinking.
The topic of depression is not new as it impacts millions of people every year.
“They really like to say in the profession it [depression] is an epidemic going on,” Kaylee Volpe, a licensed school counselor, said.
Emily Barni’s December 2023 study included 115 students and aimed to find a greater connection between the factors of negative thoughts and distress tolerance. It revealed that individuals with lower distress tolerance were more prone to repetitive negative thinking and exhibited increased symptoms of depression.
According to Barni, research in cognitive behavior therapy is utilized to bridge the gap between these negative mental processes. But as the scope of mental health continues to impact millions of people each year.