The mood-as-input model of perseverative worrying is a conceptual model that has been developed to explain the perseverative aspect of worry inherent in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) (Davey, 2006a). The first objective of this study was to provide additional empirical support for the mood-as-input model of perseverative worrying. A second objective of this study was to investigate the association between perseverative worry and GAD symptoms. The final objective of this study was to assist in generating a comprehensive model of worry that incorporated unique predictors of GAD. Results indicated that unique variables, such as ‘as many as can’ stop rules and beliefs about worry, were weak predictors of perseveration, but were significant predictors of worry and GAD symptoms. Therefore, these variables may still contribute to the processes inherent in perseverative worry. Results also indicated that the catastrophic interview was an overall weak predictor of worry and GAD symptoms, suggesting that the catastrophic interview might not be the most suitable measure of perseverative worry. In summary, the current study provides mixed support for the mood-as-input model of perseverative worrying. Future research should further examine the relationship of the catastrophic interview and perseverative worry. In addition, future studies should include measures of GAD symptoms as an outcome variable when studying the mood-as-input model. Keywords: worry, GAD, catastrophic interview, meta-cognition, stop rules

The mood-as-input hypothesis was developed to explain perseverative worry. Based on this model, it is predicted that the amount of time individuals persist on tasks is based on their mood, and this hypothesis may explain the tendency for some individuals to engage in prolonged episodes of depressive rumination. However, surprisingly few studies have examined the applicability of the hypothesis to depressive rumination. Based on the mood-as-input hypothesis, it was predicted that persistence at a rumination task would be greatest in a "sad mood" condition paired with an "as many as can" (AMA) stop rule because individuals with depression have a difficult time assessing when to disengage from the rumination process. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three mood conditions (positive, negative, or neutral) through the use of movie clips from the Lion King and one of two stop rules conditions (as many as can or feel like stopping). Participants then completed the Catastrophic Interview Procedure (CIP), in which they were asked to recall a situation or event in their life that is associated with a depressed mood. More steps are indicative of greater rumination. Contrary to previous literature on the topic, there was no significant interaction between mood and stop rules on depressive steps; however the current study was the first to identify rumination as a predictor of variance after controlling for mood and stop rules indicating that the natural tendency to engage in rumination is an additional relevant variable in a basic perseveration task.