Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Amanda J. Rose

Abstract

Co-rumination is talking excessively about problems with another person such as a same-sex best friend. Co-rumination is found to impact adjustment, such that co-rumination is related to an increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms but also an increase in friendship quality. The consequences of co-rumination have been studied, but predictors of co-rumination over time have yet to be studied. The study investigated factors that may predict co-rumination such as attachment style (secure, dismissing, preoccupied), expectations of rejection (angry, anxious), and gender orientation (masculinity and femininity) over a 9-month period. Theoretical frameworks included response styles theory, maternal deprivation theory, and rejection sensitivity theory. The study involved secondary analyses of an archival data set in which adolescents responded to surveys about their same-sex friendships at two time points between 2007 and 2009. The archival data had 473 adolescents complete measures at a second time point. Results indicated that femininity and anxious expectations of rejection were significantly correlated with co-rumination. However, attachment styles, expectations of rejection, and gender role orientation did not significantly predict co-rumination at a later time point, controlling for gender and Time 1 co-rumination. Consistent with past research, Time 1 co-rumination and gender were significant predictors of co-rumination 9 months later. Based on these findings, intervening with youth, especially girls, prior to adolescence could disrupt co-rumination. Positive social change implications in coaching adolescents to use effective problem-solving may lead to lower co-rumination, which could lessen risk for development of internalizing problems, such as depression and anxiety.

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