Complex mediating effects of rumination facets between personality traits and depressive symptoms

Abstract

This study investigates whether facets of rumination statistically mediate the relationships between Big Five personality traits and depressive symptoms. Self‐reported personality traits and rumination were investigated as predictors of depressive symptoms in a cross‐sectional sample of 3043 participants aged 18–60 years (68.8% female). Multiple regression analysis investigated which personality traits and rumination facets best explained variance in depressive symptoms. Structural equation modelling was used to determine whether facets of rumination mediated the relationships between personality traits and depressive symptoms. Multiple regression analysis found that variance in depressive symptoms was best explained by the personality traits neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness; and both facets of rumination, brooding and reflection. Structural equation modelling added that the effects of neuroticism, extroversion, conscientiousness and openness on depressive symptoms were statistically mediated by brooding; the effects of neuroticism, extroversion and openness to depressive symptoms were statistically mediated by reflection. Rumination facets statistically mediated the effects of various personality traits on depressive symptoms. These results provide insights into which individuals may be best suited to treatments for depression targeting rumination.

Neuroticism, rumination, depression and suicidal ideation: A moderated serial mediation model across four countries

“…Regarding the mediational role of rumination in the association between neuroticism and depression, our findings have shown a robust partial mediation effect from emotional stability to depressed mood through rumination in the four countries studied and across sex groups, in line with previous studies (e.g., Barnhofer & Chittka, 2010 ; Kuyken et al, 2006 ; Lyon et al, 2021 ; Roelofs et al, 2008 ; Smith et al, 2018 ; Whisman et al, 2020 ). Thus, neuroticism would influence depressed mood indirectly through rumination, but also directly, as a recent genetically informative study demonstrated, showing common but also specific influences of both neuroticism and rumination on depression symptoms ( Du Pont et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Research has confirmed the strong associations of neuroticism with internalizing psychopathology, such as mood and anxiety disorders ( Hakulinen et al, 2015 ; Jeronimus et al, 2016 ; Kotov et al, 2010 ) and to a lesser extent, with suicidal thoughts ( Brandes & Tacket, 2019 ; Brezo et al, 2006 ). In addition, neuroticism/negative affect has also been proposed to be etiologically involved in the development of rumination ( Hyde et al, 2008 ; Sachs-Ericsson et al, 2014 ; Shaw et al, 2019 ), so rumination has usually been considered as a mediator between neuroticism and depression (e.g., Barnhofer & Chittka, 2010 ; Kuyken et al, 2006 ; Lyon et al, 2021 ; Roelofs et al, 2008 ).…”

Five-Factor Model of Personality & Internalising Psychopathology: New Contributions for Evaluation and Aetiological Models

“…Regarding the mediational role of rumination in the association between neuroticism and depression, our findings have shown a robust partial mediation effect from emotional stability to depressed mood through rumination in the four countries studied and across sex groups, in line with previous studies (e.g., (Barnhofer & Chittka, 2010;Kuyken et al, 2006;Lyon et al, 2021;Roelofs et al, 2008;E. M. Smith et al, 2018;Whisman et al, 2020).…”

“…As we know that rumination is significantly related to these types of symptoms, it is not surprising that neuroticism presents a significant association with rumination. In fact as an proximal antecedent of rumination, neuroticism/negative affect has been proposed to be aetiologically involved in the development of rumination (Hyde et al, 2008;Mezulis et al, 2011;Sachs-Ericsson et al, 2014;Shaw et al, 2019), and some studies propose that rumination may constitute a significant mediator in the link between neuroticism and depression (Barnhofer et al, 2011;Chen et al, 2020;Hong, 2013;Kuyken et al, 2006;Lyon et al, 2021;Muris, 2006;Roelofs et al, 2008;Verstraeten et al, 2009Verstraeten et al, , 2011. In addition, recent research has found interactive effects between negative affect and rumination on depression, suicidality or non-suicidal self-injury (Nicolai et al, 2016;Zvolensky et al, 2016), which, thus, increases the harmful effects of these variables.…”

“…Research has confirmed the strong associations of neuroticism with internalising psychopathology, such as mood and anxiety disorders (Hakulinen et al, 2015;Jeronimus et al, 2016;Kotov et al, 2010) and to a lesser extent, with suicidal thoughts (Brandes & Tackett, 2019;Brezo et al, 2006). In addition, neuroticism/negative affect has also been proposed to be aetiologically involved in the development of rumination (Hyde et al, 2008;Sachs-Ericsson et al, 2014;Shaw et al, 2019), so rumination has usually been considered as a mediator between neuroticism and depression (e.g., Barnhofer & Chittka, 2010;Kuyken et al, 2006;Lyon et al, 2021;Roelofs et al, 2008).…”