Poster #64 - Replication and Extension: Gender Differences in Pathways to Depression through Co-rumination and Rumination

• In Event: 3-159 - Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: PS 12 Section - Developmental Psychopathology

Integrative Statement

Co-rumination is defined as the excessive discussion of problems and negative emotions between individuals (Rose, 2002). The process of co-rumination involves discussing the same problem repeatedly, mutual encouragement of problem discussions, and a noticeable lack of problem solving. Co-rumination has been described as a double-edged sword, as it is associated with both increased friendship quality and increased depression and anxiety (Spendelow et al., 2017). Specifically, co-rumination predicts depressive symptoms concurrently and prospectively (Hankin et al., 2010; Rose, 2002; Rose et al., 2014). Rose (2002) also believed that co-rumination would reinforce individual rumination, a hypothesis preliminarily supported by Stone and Gibb (2015). However, it is unclear if there are gender differences in this pathway. Previous researchers have demonstrated that girls tend to co-ruminate and ruminate at higher levels compared to boys (Nolen-Hoeksema et al., 1993; Rose et al., 2007), which may lead to higher level of depressive symptoms. The current study sought to examine two hypotheses: (a) Does rumination mediate the relationship between co-rumination and depressive symptoms and (b) are there gender differences across this pathway?
Participants were 150 community adolescents from the Pacific Northwest (51.3% female; Mage = 13.04). Adolescents completed measures assessing rumination, co-rumination, and depressive symptoms. Assessments were completed at two time points, approximately four months apart. Independent samples t-tests showed that girls tended to co-ruminate more than boys, however there are no differences in regard to rumination and depressive symptoms. Controlling for age and gender, results showed a significant indirect effect from co-rumination to depressive symptoms through individual rumination (CI95 [.43, 2.08]). Co-rumination positively predicted rumination (B[SE] = 1.60[.33], p < .001); rumination positively predicted depressive symptoms prospectively (B[SE] = .70[.15], p < .001). Next, we examined gender differences by assessing whether gender moderated the pathway between co-rumination and rumination, rumination and depressive symptoms, or both. Results showed that gender only moderated the pathway between co-rumination and rumination (B[SE] = 1.91[.67], p = .005). For girls, the indirect event from co-rumination to depressive symptoms through rumination was significant (CI95 [1.71, 3.71]); this was not the case for boys (CI95 [-.04, 1.64]). Results from this study provide further support for the hypothesis that co-rumination reinforces the individual tendency to ruminate, which then predicts depressive symptoms prospectively. Additionally, we found support for gender differences along this pathway, such that girls who co-ruminated more also displayed higher levels of rumination (see Figure 1). At high levels of rumination, however, girls and boys displayed similar levels of depressive symptoms over time (see Figure 2).

Authors

• Jaclyn Tess Aldrich, Seattle Pacific University
  Presenting Author

• Amy H. Mezulis, Seattle Pacific University
  Non-Presenting Author