Gender differences in rumination: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Starting in adolescence and continuing through adulthood, women are twice as likely as men to experience depression. According to the response styles theory (RST), gender differences in depression result, in part, from women’s tendency to ruminate more than men. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate gender differences in rumination in adults (k = 59; N = 14,321); additionally, an analysis of subtypes of rumination – brooding and reflection – was conducted (k = 23). Fixed effects analyses indicated that women scored higher than men in rumination (d = .24, p < .01, SEd = .02), brooding (d = .19, p < .01, SEd = .03) and reflection (d = .17, p < .01, SEd = .03); there was no evidence of heterogeneity or publication bias across studies for these effect sizes. Although statistically significant, the effect sizes for gender differences in rumination were small in magnitude. Results are discussed with respect to the RST and gender differences in depression.

The influence of cognitive control training on stress reactivity and rumination in response to a lab stressor and naturalistic stress

“…Fifth, although both groups mainly contained female participants, a gender difference occurred: the control group contained more men (n = 4) than the CCT group (n = 0). As women are more prone to brooding (Johnson & Whisman, 2013), this might have influenced chances of finding beneficial effects of computer training sessions on brooding in the CCT group compared to the active control group. However, re-analyzing the data excluding the male participants did not alter our main findings.…”

Bullying and Suicidal Behavior During Adolescence: A Developmental Perspective

“…Rumination is another mechanism by which adolescent females may be more prone to suicidality than adolescent males. Previous work has supported a relationship between rumination and suicidality (Morrison and O'Connor 2008), and rumination is more common among females (Johnson and Whisman 2013;Nolen and Jackson 2001;Nolen et al 1999). Type of bullying experienced may also play a role in the gender difference in aversive outcomes.…”

The Costs and Benefits of Active Coping for Adolescents Residing in Urban Poverty

“…But, there is some evidence that girls are more vulnerable to the negative effects of stress, in general. Ironically, explanations for that vulnerability have often focused on girls' tendency to ruminate rather than cope actively with stressful life events (Johnson and Whisman 2013). Under conditions of uncontrollable stressors, however, girls who use active approaches may find them ineffective and this could lead to rumination and psychological distress (Boyes et al 2015).…”