The Role of Parenting in the Development of Rumination

Abstract Background Research suggests that rumination predicts depression in adult and adolescent populations and there is increasing evidence that rumination is a transdiagnostic factor across psychological disorders. Whilst researchers have stressed the importance of understanding the developmental antecedents of rumination and a number of hypotheses have been posited, this area has received little research attention. Additionally, the majority of existing research has relied on self-report measures of parenting. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of parental modelling, low positivity and criticism in the development of rumination in offspring using an observational measure called the Five Minute Speech Sample (FMSS). Design A cross-sectional two-stage design was utilised. During stage one, sixth-form girls and their mothers were invited to complete questionnaires measuring rumination and affect. At stage two, mothers of high rumination and low rumination daughters were invited to complete the FMSS. Results Rumination was not correlated in mothers and daughters, suggesting a lack of support for the role of modelling. Unfortunately, there was a paucity of critical comments in this sample which hindered attempts to investigate the relationship between maternal criticism and offspring rumination. However, the data showed that the mothers of low ruminators made twice as many positive comments about their daughters compared to the mothers of high ruminators. This result remained significant even when controlling for mother and daughter affect variables. 3 Conclusions The results suggest that low maternal positivity is associated with rumination in female adolescents. However, as this study was not experimental, causality cannot be inferred. Additionally, there was no evidence to support the role of parental modelling and the role of criticism could not be addressed. The results suggest a number of implications for clinical work and future research, including the need for prospective longitudinal studies using observational measures of parenting.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of East Anglia

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Douglas, Jessica

Language dc:language

en