Ruminative self-focus and negative affect: an experience sampling study.

Full Abstract

The authors conducted an experience sampling study to investigate the relationship between momentary ruminative self-focus and negative affect. Ninety-three adults recorded these variables at quasi-random intervals 8 times daily for 1 week. Scores on questionnaire measures of dispositional rumination were associated with mean levels of momentary ruminative self-focus over the experience sampling week. Concurrently, momentary ruminative self-focus was positively associated with negative affect. Cross-lagged analyses revealed that whereas ruminative self-focus predicted negative affect at a subsequent occasion, negative affect also predicted ruminative self-focus at a subsequent occasion. Decomposition of the dispositional rumination measure suggested that brooding, but not reflective pondering, was associated with higher mean levels of negative affect. Though broadly consistent with Nolen-Hoeksema's (1991) response styles theory, these results suggest that a reciprocal relationship exists between ruminative self-focus and negative affect.

Author information

Author/s: Moberly, Nicholas J (NJ); Watkins, Edward R (ER);

Affiliation: Mood Disorder Center, School of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom.

Grants: (Agency:Wellcome Trust)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of abnormal psychology (J Abnorm Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-May; vol 117 (issue 2) : pp 314-23

Dates: Created 2008/05/20; Completed 2008/07/08; Revised 2009/06/05;

PMID: 18489207, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 6/8/2009, IMS Date: )

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