The association between rumination and negative affect: A review

Abstract

A total of 100 experimental, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies on the association between rumination and negative affects are reviewed. Experimental and cross-sectional studies support a positive association between rumination and sadness-depression whereas longitudinal studies show more diverse results. Longitudinal studies sampling clinical populations and with treatment during the follow-up display more null results. Concerning the relation between rumination and other negative affects there is strongest evidence for a positive association between rumination and anxiety, but more studies are necessary to illuminate the relation between rumination and other negative affects. The functionality of rumination is discussed along with possible explanations for the associations between rumination and different negative affects. The need for further differentiation of rumination is highlighted in order to distinguish the concept from other types of repetitive, negative thoughts.

Part of the work of the present review was conducted during the project “The immune system – Influence of aging, psychosocial factors and physical activity”, which was supported by the Health Promotion and Prevention Research Programme administered by the Danish Research Agency (grant No. 5028-00-0009).

Part of the work of the present review was conducted during the project “The immune system – Influence of aging, psychosocial factors and physical activity”, which was supported by the Health Promotion and Prevention Research Programme administered by the Danish Research Agency (grant No. 5028-00-0009).

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my colleagues Mimi Yung Mehlsen, Robert Zachariae, Dorthe Berntsen, and Esben Hougaard for their helpful comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. I appreciate the helpful suggestions from the anonymous reviewers, especially regarding theories relevant for the discussion. Also, thanks to Annie Dolmer Christensen for her assistance on the preparation of the manuscript.

Notes

Part of the work of the present review was conducted during the project “The immune system – Influence of aging, psychosocial factors and physical activity”, which was supported by the Health Promotion and Prevention Research Programme administered by the Danish Research Agency (grant No. 5028-00-0009).