Clarifying co-rumination: associations with internalizing symptoms and romantic involvement among adolescent girls

J Adolesc. 2009 Feb;32(1):19-37. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2007.12.005. Epub 2008 Jan 31.

Abstract

Co-rumination, or excessive discussion of problems within friendships, has been associated with internalizing symptoms and is especially prevalent among adolescent girls. Eighty-three early adolescent girls participated in a prospective study further examining this construct. Co-rumination was positively correlated with depressive symptoms and positive aspects of friendship, but did not predict longitudinal changes in depressive symptoms. Co-rumination was negatively related to social anxiety when controlling for depressive symptoms. Co-rumination correlated positively with romantic experiences, and the two interacted to predict longitudinal changes in depressive symptoms, implying that co-rumination may only be depressogenic under certain circumstances. Theoretical ramifications for the construct of co-rumination and interpersonal aspects of adolescent internalizing symptoms are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Anxiety
  • Courtship*
  • Depression
  • Female
  • Friends
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • New York
  • Self Disclosure*
  • Social Adjustment*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires