Brooding and Reflection as Explanatory of Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents Experiencing Stressful Life Events

Abstract

Delineating etiologic mechanisms of adolescent-onset depressive disorders has implications for advances in depression recognition and prevention. Two cognitive processes, namely brooding and reflection, may be instrumental in the development of depressive symptoms. Study aims were to (1) examine the relationships among brooding, reflection, dysfunctional attitudes, negative inferential style, stressful life events, and depressive symptoms and (2) determine the unique contributions of brooding and reflection to depressive symptoms in adolescents who are experiencing stressful life events. A secondary data analysis was conducted using cross-sectional data gathered via a web-based survey (N = 111) of 12-15 year olds. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, and hierarchical linear regression modeling were used to evaluate study aims. The final regression model explained approximately 73% of the variance in depressive symptoms (Multiple R = 0.85, p < .001). After controlling for each of the study variables, both brooding (beta = .48, p < .001) and reflection (beta = .33, p < .001) demonstrated unique contributions to the prevalence of depressive symptoms. Our findings suggest that brooding and reflection are significant contributors to depressive symptoms in young adolescents experiencing stressful life events. With this knowledge, nurses are better equipped to identify adolescents at high risk for depressive symptoms and implement appropriate levels of intervention.

The Associations Between Everyday Discrimination, Brooding, Reflection, and Symptoms of Depression in Adolescents

“…However, accounting for PED and the other type of rumination included in the regression model, only brooding, and not reflection, was found to statistically predict depressive symptoms. This finding adds to a growing body of evidence (Burwell & Shirk, 2007;Joormann et al, 2006;Treynor et al, 2003;Young et al, 2014) that brooding is a less adaptive type of rumination than reflection. Our results are also congruent with developmental literature that suggests enduring cognitive styles, such as a ruminative response style, develop during adolescence (Abela et al, 2002;Cole et al, 2008;Turner & Cole, 1994).…”

“…Another strength of our study was the differentiation between brooding and reflection. As discussed above, previous studies suggest that each type of rumination is differentially related to depression (Burwell and Shirk, 2007;Joormann et al 2006;Treynor et al 2003;Young et al 2014). Given that reflection is hypothesized to be a more adaptive than brooding, examining them together as one variable could lead to inaccurate conclusions.…”

“…Brooding involves the passive dwelling on negative emotions in a way that does not facilitate change, whereas reflection involves the cognitive process of understanding negative feelings and their origins. Research suggests that both types of rumination are cross-sectionally related to depressive symptoms (Treynor et al, 2003;Young et al, 2014), yet only brooding, and not reflection, is predictive of future increases in depressive symptoms in adults (Joormann et al, 2006;Treynor et al, 2003) and adolescents (Burwell & Shirk, 2007;Young et al, 2014). Thus, reflection may be a more adaptive coping strategy than brooding (Burwell & Shirk, 2007;Joormann et al, 2006;Treynor et al, 2003;Young et al, 2014).…”

Slik kan helsesøstre oppdage og forebygge psykiske plager hos ungdom

“…Den kvantitative undersøkelsen til Young & Dietrich viser til at stress, bekymringer og negative tanker spiller en rolle ved utviklingen av depressive symptomer (11). Young og Dietrich har undersøkt stressende livshendelser hos ungdom og ser en tydelig sammenheng mellom stress og depresjon hos ungdom (12). På 8. trinn kartlegges ungdoms helse gjennom et helseskjema.…”

Brooding and neuroticism are strongly interrelated manifestations of the phenome of depression

“…According to Treynor et al (21), brooding is a maladaptive fixation on distress symptoms, whereas reflection is an adaptive way to engage in cognitive problem-solving. Previous research has shown that brooding is a significant predictor of depression over time, whereas there is less evidence that reflection has the same effect (51)(52)(53). Previous research has shown that rumination and introspection are associated with the development of depressive symptoms and that rumination may predict the onset of depression (18,53,54).…”