Sex differences and response styles: subtypes of rumination and associations with depressive symptoms

J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2009 Jan;38(1):27-35. doi: 10.1080/15374410802575412.

Abstract

In view of recent findings regarding the multifaceted nature of rumination in adults and older adolescents, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the construct of rumination as a 2-factor model (brooding and reflection) in a child and early adolescent sample as well as examine sex differences and associations between depressive symptoms and these ruminative subtypes. Participants were children in 2nd through 7th grades (N = 303). Results of a confirmatory factor analysis supported the hypothesis that subtypes of rumination (2-factor model) are present in children and provided a better fit than a unitary construct of rumination (1-factor model). As predicted, girls endorsed higher levels of brooding than boys, and brooding (not reflection) was uniquely related to depressive symptoms. Results revealed that a distinction between brooding and reflection subtypes is warranted as it can help lead to better assessment and identification of risk factors of depression.

Publication types

  • Kommentar

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Affect
  • Attention*
  • Child
  • Culture*
  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Recall*
  • Models, Psychological
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Thinking*