When goals cannot be met, and especially if the goal is afforded high value, then the mind will continue to dwell on the discrepancy and search for possible ways to reduce it, giving rise to rumination (Martin & Tesser, 1996). Rumination appears to play a central role in exacerbating negative affect. For example, the tendency to worry seems to reflect attempts to plan for and develop potential strategies for avoiding anticipated future negative events, but it can lead to the maintenance or heightening of anxiety (Borkovec, Shadick, & Hopkins, 1991; Wells, 1999). Similarly, depressive rumination appears to reflect attempts to change aspects of one’s assumed basic faults (Nolen-Hoeksema, 1991) or alternately to regain something that has been lost and is of central importance to the person’s sense of identity or worth (Pyszcynski & Greenberg; 1987). It is now well established that these patterns of ruminative thinking can escalate a spiraling cycle of dysphoric affect that can lead eventually to a major depressive episode (Pyszcynski & Greenberg; 1987; Teasdale & Bernard, 1993; Nolen- Hoeksema, 1991). It is also assumed that rumination will continue until the person either satisfies or gives up the goal (Martin & Tesser, 1989). Thus, disengaging from one’s goals should facilitate the release from ruminative thinking and thereby reduce cognitive vulnerability to certain forms of psychopathology.