Is Trait Rumination Associated with the Ability to Generate Effective Problem Solving Strategies? Utilizing Two Versions of the Means-Ends Problem-Solving Test

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between trait rumination and the effectiveness of problem solving strategies as assessed by the Means-Ends Problem-Solving Test (MEPS) in a nonclinical population. The present study extended previous studies in terms of using two instructions in the MEPS: the second-person, actual strategy instructions, which has been utilized in previous studies on rumination, and the third-person, ideal-strategy instructions, which is considered more suitable for assessing the effectiveness of problem solving strategies. We also replicated the association between rumination and each dimension of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised Short Version (SPSI-R:S). Japanese undergraduate students (N = 223) completed the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition, Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), MEPS, and SPSI-R:S. One half of the sample completed the MEPS with the second-person, actual strategy instructions. The other participants completed the MEPS with the third-person, ideal-strategy instructions. The results showed that neither total RRS score, nor its subscale scores were significantly correlated with MEPS scores under either of the two instructions. These findings taken together with previous findings indicate that in nonclinical populations, trait rumination is not related to the effectiveness of problem solving strategies, but that state rumination while responding to the MEPS deteriorates the quality of strategies. The correlations between RRS and SPSI-R:S scores indicated that trait rumination in general, and its brooding subcomponent in particular are parts of cognitive and behavioral responses that attempt to avoid negative environmental and negative private events. Results also showed that reflection is a part of active problem solving.

How do Rumination and Social Problem Solving Intensify Depression? A Longitudinal Study

“…To estimate the stable predictive powers of each variable, linear mixed models were analyzed in which depression, rumination (assessed with the RRS total scale), and each dimension of social problem solving were treated as fixed factors, with the same scale or subscale assessed at the next time point as dependent variables (details and advantages of this analytic method are described in the Statistical Analysis section). Because previous cross-sectional studies indicated that rumination, negative problem orientation, and avoidance style are associated with one another (McMurrich and Johnson 2008 ; Hasegawa et al 2015b , 2016 ), we predicted that these variables would also show longitudinal associations. Moreover, considering the observed very weak or absent correlations between impulsivity/carelessness style and rumination (Hasegawa et al 2015b , 2016 ), we expected that impulsivity/carelessness style would not be predicted by rumination, and vice versa.…”

“…Because previous cross-sectional studies indicated that rumination, negative problem orientation, and avoidance style are associated with one another (McMurrich and Johnson 2008 ; Hasegawa et al 2015b , 2016 ), we predicted that these variables would also show longitudinal associations. Moreover, considering the observed very weak or absent correlations between impulsivity/carelessness style and rumination (Hasegawa et al 2015b , 2016 ), we expected that impulsivity/carelessness style would not be predicted by rumination, and vice versa. Given the findings of previous research (Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow 1991 ; Nolen-Hoeksema 2000 ; Spasojević and Alloy 2001 ; Anderson et al 2011 ; Hasegawa et al 2015a ), we predicted that rumination, negative problem orientation, and impulsivity/carelessness style would predict increased depressive symptoms assessed 4 weeks later, even after controlling for initial depression levels.…”

“…Previous studies have examined whether rumination and social problem solving are associated. For example, cross-sectional studies that used the RRS and SPSI-R or SPSI-R:S showed that in nonclinical samples, rumination and its brooding subcomponent were positively associated with negative problem orientation and avoidance style (McMurrich and Johnson 2008 ; Hasegawa et al 2015b , 2016 ). These findings were consistent with experimental studies showing that induced rumination may lead to negative interpretations about the self, one’s situation, and future events (Lyubomirsky and Nolen-Hoeksema 1995 ; Lyubomirsky et al 1999 ; Lavender and Watkins 2004 ).…”

“…On the other hand, rumination and its subcomponents have been shown to be relatively independent of the impulsivity/carelessness style ( r s ranging from .04 to .14; Hasegawa et al 2015b , 2016 ). This is important because the impulsivity/carelessness style represents another important factor that predicts depression.…”

Functional Connectivity Among Default Mode, Fronto-Parietal, and Salience Networks Moderates the Lagged Association between Sadness and Rumination in Daily Life

“…Rumination is a mode of responding to distress or depressed mood that entails perseverative thinking about one's problems or emotions (Nolen-Hoeksema, 1991;Nolen-Hoeksema et al, 2008). While rumination may give individuals the impression that they are solving their problems (Papageorgiou & Wells, 2001), rumination impairs problem solving and is associated with the endorsement of more negative cognitions , negatively biased interpretations of hypothetical scenarios, and the generation of less effective solutions to problems (Hasegawa et al, 2016), especially for individuals in dysphoric states , Lyubomirsky & Nolen-Hoeksema, 1995. Evidence that rumination is a maladaptive response to negative mood comes from studies indicating that rumination is a less effective approach to down-regulating negative emotions in daily life in comparison to other emotion regulation strategies (Lennarz et al, 2018), that engaging in rumination when distressed is associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing future depressive episodes (Just & Alloy, 1997), and that rumination mediates the association between depressed mood and poor self-reported health (Slavish & Graham-Engeland, 2015).…”