ABSTRACT
Depression is one of the most pervasive and debilitating psychiatric disorders, and it is thus imperative that research identifies factors that characterize depression vulnerability. Although subsyndromal depressive symptoms (i.e., dysphoria) are a depression risk factor, the way that an individual responds to negative emotions may also mitigate or prolong that emotional state, thereby modulating depression vulnerability. Much research on depression has examined how thinking about a negative event in the form of reflective rumination (problem-solving) and brooding rumination (focusing on negative events and their consequences) differentially predicts both depressive symptoms and maladaptive avoidance behaviors. Comparatively less research has examined the use of co-rumination, wherein dyads collaboratively co-reflect and co-brood. Notably, existing research does indicate that co-reflection and co-brooding subtypes are differentially associated with depressive symptoms, yet more research is needed to examine the robustness of this relationship. Additionally, less is known about intrapersonal and interpersonal processes that modulate the use of co-brooding and co-reflection, or the mechanisms through which these co-rumination subtypes modulate depression risk, especially during an ongoing negative event, such as Covid-19. The current study examined (a) the relationship between depression risk, co-rumination subtypes, and avoidance behaviors, (b) intrapersonal (e.g., personality) factors' association with co-rumination subtypes, (c) the association between co-ruminating partners' use of acceptance statements (positive regard and attentiveness) and challenge statements (goal motivation) on the use of co-rumination subtypes and avoidance behaviors, and (d) the relationship between co-rumination subtypes, negative events surrounding an ongoing stressor (Covid-19), and depression risk. Participants were undergraduate students from the University of Kansas' introductory psychology course who reported their interpersonal and intrapersonal rumination, affect, negative experience with Covid-19, avoidance behaviors, emotion reactivity and tolerance, neuroticism, and the frequency with which their close friend provides acceptance and challenge statements during problem-focused talk. Hierarchical multiple regression and moderation analyses indicated that neither co-rumination subtypes were associated with current depressive symptoms, and co-brooding was not associated with avoidance behaviors. Moreover, avoidance behaviors and intrapersonal rumination were not shown to moderate the relationship between co-brooding and current depressive symptoms. Regarding intrapersonal factors, emotion reactivity and emotion tolerance, but not neuroticism, were associated with use of co-rumination subtypes. Regarding acceptance and challenge statements, both were differentially associated with avoidance behaviors, and at higher levels, they interacted to predict decreased behavioral nonsocial avoidance. Finally, co-rumination subtypes did not moderate the relationship between negative events related to Covid-19 and current depressive symptoms. Results indicated that co-rumination subtypes may not always have an adaptive or maladaptive association with depressive symptoms;however, results indicated intrapersonal factors that can be used to identify individuals who might be more likely to use co-rumination subtypes. Additionally, although the current study did not find evidence to support the relationship between co-rumination and avoidance behaviors, it does appear that messages exchanged within a dyad can modulate the use of avoidance behaviors, which has implications for interpersonal treatment approaches targeting avoidance behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)