Negative Automatic Thoughts

Mean negative thought scores in the sample averaged 4.8, while mean positive thought scores averaged 6.1. Negative automatic thoughts function as internal discourse activated by stressful events, which may arise consciously or unconsciously and become repetitive and invasive. Negative thoughts were strongly associated with low resilience, with an odds ratio of 1.4 (95% CI 1.4–1.5) per unit increase. Negative thoughts were identified as a particularly important and potentially modifiable factor associated with low resilience. Negative automatic thoughts are potentially modifiable through cognitive behavioural therapy, making them a target for resilience-building interventions.