Rumination in the Context of the Centrality of Stressful Events

Repetitive thought strategies, such as rumination, have been linked to negative outcomes following stressful events. It has been proposed that some repetitive thoughts may serve an adaptive function for some individuals. This study examined the impact of various rumination strategies on negative and positive outcomes and the centrality of an event as a context under which the nature of rumination might change. Five hundred eighty college students reported their use of brooding, reflecting, deliberate, and intrusive rumination. Outcomes measured were symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress, and posttraumatic growth. With few exceptions, main effects were found for centrality and each type of rumination. Centrality moderated several relationships; those with low centrality were less impacted by the negative effects of rumination and more able to achieve posttraumatic growth. Findings highlight the importance of addressing rumination in clinical interventions and of considering centrality when employing strategies that rely on processing stress or trauma.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Miami University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Allbaugh, Lucy Jane

Contributors dc:contributor

• Wright, Margaret

• Psychology
• Rumination
• stress
• trauma
• event centrality

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: some rights reserved. It is licensed for use under a Creative Commons license. Specific terms and permissions are available from this document's record in the OhioLINK ETD Center.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1364730564

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:miami1364730564