Examining the Relationship Between Daily Co-Rumination and Rumination in Response to Negative Events Among Adolescents Using Ecological Momentary Assessment

Abstract

Introduction: Rumination and co-rumination are related processes characterized by repetitive focus on negative feelings and problems, with current theory suggesting that co-rumination fosters the use of intrapersonal rumination over time. Additionally, both rumination and co-rumination are related to the occurrence of depressive symptoms during adolescence. Method: The current study utilized an ecological momentary design to examine the temporal relationship between daily co-rumination and rumination in response to negative events within a sample of young adolescents (N = 150). Results: Hierarchical linear models indicated that co-rumination in response to a negative event significantly, positively predicted the use of rumination the following day, whereas use of rumination did not predict engagement in co-rumination the following day. Discussion: Results of the current study support the hypothesis that co-rumination influences the tendency to ruminate individually, which may indirectly result in depressive symptoms over time.