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Indecisiveness moderates the relationship between rumination modes and depressive symptoms
Brandon Winchell1, Iony D Ezawa1
1Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
Frontiers in Psychology
|November 24, 2025
Summary
Aversive indecisiveness amplifies the link between abstract rumination and depression. This cognitive factor also influences the relationship between concrete rumination and depressive symptoms, impacting mental health.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Major depressive disorder is a prevalent and impairing mental health condition.
- Rumination and indecisiveness are recognized cognitive risk factors for depression.
- The interactive effects of these cognitive factors are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether aversive indecisiveness moderates the relationship between abstract and concrete rumination and depressive symptoms.
- To explore the interplay between different modes of rumination and indecisiveness in the context of depression.
Main Methods:
- Two samples were recruited: undergraduate students (N=412) and general population (N=258).
- Participants completed self-report measures for depressive symptoms, rumination modes (abstract and concrete), and indecisiveness.
- Robust linear regression was employed to analyze the moderating effects, controlling for demographic variables.
Main Results:
- Aversive indecisiveness significantly moderated the association between abstract rumination and depressive symptoms in both samples.
- Higher levels of indecisiveness strengthened the positive relationship between abstract rumination and depression.
- In the general population sample, aversive indecisiveness also moderated the concrete rumination-depression link.
Conclusions:
- The combination of abstract rumination and aversive indecisiveness may increase the risk for depressive symptoms.
- Understanding these interactive cognitive factors is crucial for the assessment and treatment of depression.
- Future research should consider the joint impact of rumination styles and indecisiveness on mental health outcomes.
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