On the mediating role of subtypes of rumination in the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and depressed mood: brooding versus reflection.

BACKGROUND

We examined the mediating role of rumination in the relationship between emotional abuse and depression, focusing on two subtypes of rumination: reflection versus brooding.

METHODS

Students (n=101) completed the Emotional Abuse subscale of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire; the Ruminative Response Scale; and the Beck Depression Inventory.

RESULTS

Rumination was found to mediate the relationship between childhood emotional abuse and depressive symptoms. Further analyses showed that this was only the case for the brooding but not the reflective subtype of rumination.

CONCLUSIONS

Results further evidence the role of rumination as a mediator of the relationship between childhood maltreatment and depression, and are consistent with the recently proposed distinction between different subtypes or forms of rumination.