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A closer look at co-rumination: gender, coping, peer functioning and internalizing/externalizing problems
Tanya L Tompkins1, Ashlee R Hockett, Nadia Abraibesh
1Department of Psychology, Linfield College, McMinnville, OR 97128, USA. tatompki@linfield.edu
Journal of Adolescence
|March 18, 2011
Summary
Co-rumination, repetitive problem-focused talk, enhances friendships but increases anxiety and depression in adolescents. This study found co-rumination linked to internalizing symptoms and aggressive behavior, impacting peer functioning.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Social Interaction
Background:
- Co-rumination, or repetitive problem-focused discussion, is linked to positive friendship quality in youth.
- However, it is also associated with increased anxiety and depression, particularly in females.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between co-rumination, coping strategies, and psychological adjustment in middle adolescents.
- To examine the role of co-rumination in gender differences in internalizing symptoms and its association with peer functioning.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 146 middle adolescents assessing co-rumination, individual coping, internalizing/externalizing problems, and peer functioning.
- Data collected through self-reports and teacher reports.
Main Results:
- Girls reported higher co-rumination and internalizing symptoms. Co-rumination correlated positively with self-reported anxiety/depression and aggressive behavior.
- Co-rumination was negatively associated with the number of friends and social acceptance. It partially explained the indirect effect of gender on internalizing symptoms.
- Co-rumination was linked to internalizing and externalizing symptoms, independent of individual coping efforts.
Conclusions:
- Co-rumination plays a significant role in adolescent adjustment, particularly concerning internalizing symptoms and peer relationships.
- Findings highlight the complex interplay between social interaction patterns, coping mechanisms, and mental health outcomes in adolescence.
- Future research should incorporate broader measures of adjustment and peer functioning to fully understand co-rumination's impact.
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