Objective   To explore the effect of induced rumination and distraction on inhibition of distraction of depressed individuals and patients.    Methods   Totally 650 students sampled from 2 universities in Chongqing were investigated with Beke Depression Inventory (BDI) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Eligible subjects were rated as the never-disordered controls (n=38) and depressed participants (n=42). Another 22 sex- and age-matched depressed patients were collected from the out-patient department of a Hospital from April to October 2009. China diagnostic criteria of mental disorder-3 (CCMD-3) and Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD) filter was used to evaluate the depression. Each group of subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups

and respectively executed induced rumination and distraction task

and then inhibition of distraction of attention was assessed using the negative priming task with multifactor experimental designs.    Results   (1) There was no significant difference for depressed patients to positive and negative priming effects to negative faces under induced rumination or under induced distraction (P0.05)

But induced distraction had lower positive (t=3.060

P=0.014) and negative priming effects (t=3.527

P=0.006) for positive faces than induced rumination. (2) In induced rumination task

depressed individuals had lower positive (F=21.56

P=0.000) and negative priming effects (F=34.17

P=0.000) to negative faces than normal controls. (3) In induced distraction task

depressed patients had lower positive (F=51.97

P=0.000) and negative priming effects (F=10.21

P=0.000) to positive faces than controls. And it had lower positive priming effects (F=4.07

P=0.014) and negative priming effects (F=9.70

P=0.000) to negative faces than normal controls.    Conclusion   Induced rumination has no influence on inhibition of distraction in depressed individuals. Induced distraction decreases the distracter inhibition and increases the excessive facilitation for positive faces stimuli.