A recent study conducted by the American Psychological Association has revealed an interesting connection between overthinking and physical pain. The study, titled “The unpleasantness of thinking: A meta-analytic review of the association between mental effort and negative affect,” analyzed data collected from 170 studies involving 4,670 unique subjects from various professions across 29 countries.
The results of the study showed that mental exertion can lead to negative feelings and irritation, with the level of unpleasantness varying among different populations. Surprisingly, the study found that painful thinking had less of an effect on individuals in Asian countries compared to other populations. The study also found a strong positive association between mental effort and “negative affect,” although this association could be influenced by the type of task and the feedback received.
One interesting finding of the study was that the level of education of the subjects also played a role in the results. Whether or not a subject had completed a college education affected how they experienced the unpleasantness of mental effort.
The professions studied in the research included healthcare workers, military employees, amateur athletes, and college students, among others. The tasks studied varied in perceived mental effort, but the overall trend was that the greater the mental effort, the greater the unpleasantness experienced by the participants.
Based on the study’s conclusions, it may be beneficial for employers and education professionals to provide support or rewards to students and employees engaged in mentally challenging tasks. This could help alleviate the negative feelings associated with mental exertion and improve overall well-being.
In conclusion, the study sheds light on the impact of overthinking on physical pain and negative emotions. By understanding this connection, individuals and organizations can take steps to mitigate the unpleasant effects of mental effort and promote better mental health and well-being.
