Rumination is associated with the phenomenal characteristics of autobiographical memories and future scenarios

Abstract

In the present studies it was investigated whether rumination was associated with the phenomenal characteristics of autobiographical memories and future scenarios. In three studies student participants completed questionnaires on rumination and recalled and rated a positive and a negative memory. In Studies 2 and 3 participants also generated and rated a positive and a negative future scenario. Memories were rated on reliving and emotional valence; future scenarios were rated on reliving, emotional valence, and how probable the scenario was. Generally, the results showed that a higher degree of rumination was related to more reliving of negative memories and future scenarios as well as more negative expectations for the future scenarios. These processes may help explain why rumination predicts depression and other types of negative affect.

Keywords:

• Autobiographical memory
• Future scenarios
• Rumination

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Jan Tønnesvang for drawing my attention to future scenarios as a part of the life story and to Bo Sommerlund for help on the statistical analysis. I am grateful to David Pillemer, Zorana Ivcevic, Ryan Dickson, and the members of PFF for their comments on the first drafts of the manuscript. Study 3 was supported by a grant from the Research Council for the Humanities (grant number: 273-06-0395) to the first author and Jan Tønnesvang.