Rumination as a Mediator between Childhood Trauma and Adulthood Depression/Anxiety in Non-clinical Participants

Childhood emotional abuse and depression symptoms among Chinese adolescents: The sequential masking effect of ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination

BACKGROUND

This study delves into the relationship between childhood trauma and adolescent depression symptoms, specifically examining the distinct roles of ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination in mediating this connection. The focus is on exploring whether these cognitive processes, namely ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination, operate differently and sequentially in mediating the impact of childhood emotional abuse (CEA) on the development of depression symptoms among Chinese adolescents.

METHODS

The study involved gathering data from 489 adolescents, with a relatively balanced gender distribution (44.79 % males and 55.21 % females). The average age of the participants was 16.92 years, with a standard deviation of 0.67. Data collection took place in two Chinese high schools, and participants were tasked with completing assessments related to CEA, ruminative thinking, deliberate rumination, and depression symptoms. The interplay among these variables was then examined using a serial mediation model.

RESULTS

The findings of the study indicate that CEA not only exhibited a direct association with adolescent depression symptoms but also exerted indirect effects through distinct mediating mechanisms involving ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination. Specifically, ruminative thinking was identified as a mediator, whereas deliberate rumination emerged as a buffer in the relationship between CEA and depression. Additionally, ruminative thinking and deliberate rumination partially masked the effect of CEA on adolescent depression symptoms in a sequential pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding the link from CEA to adolescent depression symptoms, ruminative thinking is an adverse mediator while deliberate rumination appears to play a benign role. Consequently, the promotion of a shift from ruminative thinking to deliberate rumination is proposed as a promising strategy for alleviating the detrimental effects of CEA on adolescent depression.

The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Behavior in Adolescents with Depression: The Mediating Role of Rumination

Objective

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behavior is very common in adolescents with depression, and childhood trauma is considered one of the distal risk factors for its exacerbation. Rumination caused by adverse traumatic experiences, which can be transferred through NSSI behavior, can alleviate symptoms of depression in adolescents. The current research focuses on the relationship between the three, further exploring whether rumination is a mediator in the relationship between childhood trauma and NSSI behavior on the basis of previous studies, and provides some suggestions for future early intervention for adolescents with depression.

Methods

A total of 833 adolescent patients with depression who met the DSM-5 criteria for depressive episode were recruited from 12 hospitals in China. The Chinese version of the Function Assessment of Self-mutilation, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and Rumination Inventory were used as research tools.

Results

The scores of childhood trauma and rumination in adolescents with depression in the NSSI group were higher than those in the non-NSSI group. A Pearson's correlation analysis showed that childhood trauma was positively correlated with rumination (r=0.165, P<0.01), different types of childhood trauma were significantly positively correlated with rumination and its three factors, and these results were statistically significant. Rumination partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and NSSI behavior in depressed adolescent patients (effect size=0.002), and the effect in female participants (effect size=0.003), was greater than that in male participants (effect size=0.002).

Conclusion

Childhood trauma and rumination were key factors for NSSI behavior in adolescents with depression. Childhood trauma not only has a direct effect on NSSI behavior in adolescent depression, but also plays an indirect effect on NSSI behavior through rumination.

Childhood Trauma and Depressive Level Among Chinese College Students in Guangzhou: The Roles of Rumination and Perceived Stress

OBJECTIVE

Although previous studies have validated the effect of childhood trauma on depressive level, few studies have utilized the diathesis-stress theory to investigate the specific roles of perceived stress and rumination in the pathway between childhood trauma and depression in Chinese college students. This study aims to demonstrate the mediation effect of perceived stress and the moderation effect of rumination in the pathway between childhood trauma and depressive level in Chinese college students.

METHODS

A total of 995 Chinese college students in Guangzhou were included in this study by recruitment advertisement from October to December 2021. And they were asked to finish four self-report questionnaires, including Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, Perceived Stress Scale, the 22-item Ruminative Response Scale, and Beck Depression Scale-II. Then the data were analyzed with Mplus 8.3.

RESULTS

Results revealed significant correlations among childhood trauma, perceived stress, rumination and depressive level. Further analyses revealed that perceived stress played a mediation role between childhood trauma and depressive level (estimate=0.09, standard error [SE]=0.02, t=5.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.06-0.12), and rumination played a moderation role between childhood trauma and perceived stress (estimate=-0.17, SE=0.06, t=-2.86, 95% CI=-0.28- -0.05]) as well as between childhood trauma and depressive level (estimate=0.10, SE=0.04, t=2.74, 95% CI=0.03-0.16).

CONCLUSION

These results revealed the mediation effect of perceived stress and the moderation effect of rumination in the pathway between childhood trauma and depressive level in Chinese college students, which helped us to understand how the childhood trauma influenced the depressive level and gave us multi-dimensional indications for reducing the effect of childhood trauma on depressive level.

Cognitive factors as mediators of the relationship between childhood trauma and depression symptoms: the mediating roles of cognitive overgeneralisation, rumination, and social problem-solving

Background: Childhood trauma has negative immediate and long-term impacts on depression. Questions remain, however, regarding the cognitive factors influencing this relationship. This study aimed to investigate the role of three cognitive factors - cognitive overgeneralisation, rumination and social problem-solving - as mediating factors in the relationship between childhood trauma and symptoms of depression.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in Iran from March to July 2023. Participants (N = 227; Mean age 32.44 ± 8.95 years) with depression completed measures of childhood trauma, depression, self-overgeneralisation, cognitive errors, memory specificity, rumination and social problem-solving. The conceptual model was assessed using structural equation modelling.Results: Structural equation modelling indicated that childhood trauma had a positive direct effect on depression symptoms. Childhood trauma had a positive indirect effect on depression symptoms through both self-overgeneralisation and rumination and a negative indirect effect on depression through effective social problem-solving strategies.Conclusions: The findings suggest increased exposure to childhood trauma may be associated with elevated depression and self-overgeneralisation, rumination, and effective social problem-solving strategies may play an important role in this relationship. These findings hold potential implications for those working with patients with depression and a history of childhood trauma.

Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form: Evaluation of Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance

Childhood trauma is known to put individuals at risk for mental and physical challenges later in life. Retrospective assessment of early abuse and neglect is critical for prevention and intervention efforts targeted at reducing the negative impacts of childhood trauma. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) is a widely used measure to assess trauma among adolescents and adults, though there are some inconsistencies with regard to its factor structure and psychometric properties. The purpose of the current study was twofold: (1) to evaluate the hypothesized five-factor structure of CTQ-SF and (2) to test measurement invariance (equivalence) of the instrument across gender and race in a large, nationally representative sample of US adults (N = 863). Confirmatory factor analysis results indicate that the five-factor model fit the data well. The results also show that the five-factor model is generally invariant by gender and racial/ethnic groups and that the form's subscales positively correlate with depression, anxiety, and abnormal inflammatory biomarker activity. Assessment is critical for the advocacy and treatment of individuals who have experienced abuse and neglect as children and adolescents. Our findings suggest that the CTQ-SF is a valuable tool for assessing childhood trauma and can be used in advocacy and treatment efforts.

The effect of parenting behaviours on adolescents' rumination: a systematic review of longitudinal studies

Rumination is an emotional regulation mechanism strongly associated with the development and maintenance of internalising psychopathology in adolescence and adulthood. Parenting behaviours (PBs) play a pivotal role in the development of rumination in children and adolescents. Nonetheless, the specific PBs that can either protect against or increase the risk of rumination development remain poorly understood. This systematic review aimed to explore the (1) temporal associations between PBs and adolescents' rumination and (2) potential moderators influencing these associations. We conducted a comprehensive search across Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Academic Search Complete and Eric databases, adhering to PRISMA reporting guidelines. Out of 1,868 abstracts screened, 182 articles underwent full-text examination, with nine meeting the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Overall, the studies indicated that PBs characterised by criticism, rejection and control were positively associated with the development of rumination in adolescents, whilst PBs marked by authoritative practises exhibited a negative association with rumination. Gender, temperament, environmental sensitivity and pubertal timing emerged as significant moderators in the effects of PBs on rumination. However, conclusions were limited due to the studies' methodological heterogeneity. Future studies on PBs and rumination should address various dimensions of PBs and different moderators to identify factors that can modify the development of rumination across adolescence. Findings may inform family-based prevention programmes to promote emotion regulation in adolescents as a protective factor against internalising psychopathology across adulthood.

Sleep problems in adolescents with depression: Role of childhood trauma, alexithymia, rumination, and self-esteem

BACKGROUND

While sleep problems are common in adolescents with depression, the exact prevalence has not been reported. Although previous studies have shown that childhood trauma, alexithymia, rumination, and self-esteem are related to sleep problems, the interactions between these factors remain unclear.

METHODS

This study, conducted from March 1, 2021 to January 20, 2022, employed a cross-sectional design. The participants were 2192 adolescents with depression with a mean age of 15 years. The Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, Ruminative Response Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were used to measure sleep problems, childhood trauma, alexithymia, rumination, and self-esteem, respectively. We used PROCESS 3.3 for SPSS to determine the chain mediating effect of alexithymia and rumination and the moderating effect of self-esteem in the relationship between childhood trauma and sleep problems.

RESULTS

Up to 70.71 % of adolescents with depression had sleep problems. Furthermore, alexithymia and rumination played a chain mediation role in the relationship between childhood trauma and sleep problems. Finally, self-esteem moderated the relationships between alexithymia and sleep problems and rumination and sleep problems.

LIMITATIONS

Owing to the study design, we cannot derive causal relationships between variables. Further, the self-reported data may have been influenced by subjective participant factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals potential ways of how childhood trauma influences sleep problems in adolescents with depression. These findings suggest that interventions targeting alexithymia, rumination, and self-esteem in adolescents with depression may be effective in reducing their sleep problems.

Association between rumination and drug craving in Chinese male methamphetamine use disorder patients with childhood trauma

BACKGROUND

In China, males make up the majority of methamphetamine (MA) dependent individuals and the majority of treatment seekers. Childhood trauma (CT) and rumination are associated with an increased risk of MA use. However, the association between CT, rumination, and drug craving remains largely unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to explore the association between rumination and drug craving in methamphetamine use disorder (MAUD) patients with CT.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

This study recruited 404 male participants with MAUD from a male drug rehabilitation center in Southwest China.

METHODS

Patients with CT were identified by the short form of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF). Rumination and drug craving were assessed by the Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS) and the Obsessive Compulsive Drug Use Scale (OCDUS), respectively.

RESULTS

188 patients (46.5 %) experienced CT. Patients who had experienced CT showed significantly higher RRS symptom rumination score and OCDUS total score than those who had not. In patients with CT, RRS total and all subscale scores were positively associated with OCDUS interference of drug. Furthermore, the RRS brooding (β = 0.34, p < 0.001) and total scores (β = 0.38, p < 0.001) were determined to be separate contributors to the OCDUS total score in patients with CT.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that CT is common in male MAUD patients, and those who have suffered CT may exhibit higher levels of rumination and drug craving. Moreover, CT may play an influential role in the association between rumination and drug craving in patients with MAUD.

Childhood trauma is linked to abnormal static-dynamic brain topology in adolescents with major depressive disorder

Childhood trauma is a leading risk factor for adolescents developing major depressive disorder (MDD); however, the underlying neuroimaging mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association among childhood trauma, MDD and brain dysfunctions by combining static and dynamic brain network models. We recruited 46 first-episode drug-naïve adolescent MDD patients with childhood trauma (MDD-CT), 53 MDD patients without childhood trauma (MDD-nCT), and 90 healthy controls (HCs) for resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans; all participants were aged 13-18 years. Compared to the HCs and MDD-nCT groups, the MDD-CT group exhibited significantly higher global and local efficiency in static brain networks and significantly higher temporal correlation coefficients in dynamic brain network models at the whole-brain level, and altered the local efficiency of default mode network (DMN) and temporal correlation coefficients of DMN, salience (SAN), and attention (ATN) networks at the local perspective. Correlation analysis indicated that altered brain network features and clinical symptoms, childhood trauma, and particularly emotional neglect were highly correlated in adolescents with MDD. This study may provide new evidence for the dysconnectivity hypothesis regarding the associations between childhood trauma and MDD in adolescents from the perspectives of both static and dynamic brain topology.

The regulatory role of affective inhibitory control in somatic symptoms among adolescents exposed to child maltreatment: a population-based study

Adolescents exposed to child maltreatment are at increased risk for various somatic symptoms, but which psychological factors that contribute to this relationship need to be further investigated. Emotion dysregulation is suggested to serve as a proximal link between child maltreatment and somatic complaints. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether individual differences in affective inhibitory control, a central component in implicit emotion regulation, contribute to the risk of somatic symptoms in adolescents exposed to child maltreatment. Data were drawn from the UEVO study, a national population-based survey of adolescents between 12 and 16 years of age (N = 9240). For this study, we included participants who completed the emotional go/no-go task measuring affective inhibitory control (N = 7241; Mage/SD = 14 years/.87; 52% girls, 47% boys), of which N = 3349 reported at least one incident of maltreatment exposure (57% girls, 41% boys). Exposure to psychological abuse and sexual abuse were associated with somatic symptoms. Affective inhibitory control was related to somatic symptoms, both in the total sample and in adolescents exposed to child maltreatment. The strength of relationships between exposure to psychological abuse and somatic symptoms, as well as sexual abuse and somatic symptoms, were moderated by individual differences in affective inhibitory control problems. Our study suggests that psychological abuse and sexual abuse increase the risk for somatic symptoms in adolescence. Affective inhibitory control, a central component in implicit emotion regulation, was related to somatic symptoms and moderated the relationships between psychological abuse and somatic symptoms, and sexual abuse and somatic symptoms. Revealing these associations in a population-based sample indicates that treatment targeting affective inhibitory control may be beneficial and should be explored further in clinical settings.

The influence of childhood emotional maltreatment on cognitive symptoms, rumination, and hopelessness in adulthood depression

Childhood emotional maltreatment (CEM) is a risk factor for the pathogenesis of depressive disorders. However, it is not clear whether CEM is more strongly related to specific symptoms of depression and whether specific traits or cognitive states may mediate the association between CEM and depressive symptoms. In our cross-sectional study, including 72 patients with a current depressive episode, we investigated if CEM is specifically related to cognitive symptoms of depression. In addition, we evaluated whether CEM also influences the extent of rumination and hopelessness in adult depression. Using multiple regression analyses, we tested if CEM and rumination could predict cognitive symptoms and hopelessness. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to examine if rumination mediates the relationship between CEM and cognitive symptoms. Correlational analyses revealed that CEM was related to cognitive symptoms, rumination, and hopelessness. The regression analyses showed that only rumination was a significant predictor for cognitive symptoms and hopelessness, whereas CEM could not significantly predict the two constructs. SEM revealed that the association between CEM and cognitive symptoms in adult depression was mediated by rumination. Our results thereby suggest that CEM is a risk factor particularly for the development of cognitive symptoms as well as rumination and hopelessness in adult depression. However, the influence on cognitive symptomatology seems to be indirectly regulated by rumination. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of processes that promote depression, as well as provide guidance for more targeted treatment options.

Forgive, Let Go, and Stay Well! The Relationship between Forgiveness and Physical and Mental Health in Women and Men: The Mediating Role of Self-Consciousness

BACKGROUND

The current study assessed forgiveness (positive forgiveness and reduced unforgiveness), self-consciousness (rumination and reflection), and physical and mental health. The aim of the study was to check if self-consciousness mediates the relationship between dispositional forgiveness and health.

METHODS

To address this link, we conducted 2 studies (N = 484 in Study 1 and N = 249 in Study 2). Data were collected separately for Study 1, as well as Study 2. We used in both studies the Heartland Forgiveness Scale and the Rumination-Reflection Questionnaire, and additionally, the General Health Questionnaire-28 in Study 1 and the Scales of Psychological Well-Being in Study 2.

RESULTS

The results indicated that rumination was an effective mediator between positive forgiveness and mental health (B = 0.14, CI95% = [0.064, 0.234]), reduced unforgiveness and physical health (B = -0.13, CI95% = [-0.182, -0.088]), and both rumination and reflection between reduced unforgiveness and mental health (B = 0.13 CI95% = [0.051, 0.226]), positive forgiveness (B = -0.09 CI95% = [-0.135, -0.052]), and physical health.

CONCLUSION

The mediating role of ruminations was more frequently observed in females. The study highlighted the indirect effect between forgiveness and health. Rumination and reflection are mediators between forgiveness and health.

Depressive rumination and trait anxiety mediate the effects of childhood victimization on adulthood depressive symptoms in adult volunteers

BACKGROUND

Prior studies have reported that childhood victimization experiences substantially augment the risk of depression and suicide in adulthood. Several of our previous studies suggested that childhood experiences of victimization interact with the quality of parenting experienced in childhood, childhood experiences of abuse, neuroticism, and other factors to influence depressive symptoms in adulthood. In this study, it was hypothesized that "childhood victimization" worsens "trait anxiety" and "depressive rumination", and that "trait anxiety" and "depressive rumination" are mediators that worsen "depressive symptoms in adulthood".

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The following self-administered questionnaires were completed by 576 adult volunteers: Patient Health Questionnaire-9, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory form Y, Ruminative Responses Scale, and Childhood Victimization Rating Scale. Statistical analyses were performed by Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, t-test, multiple regression analysis, path analysis, and covariance structure analysis.

RESULTS

Path analysis demonstrated that the direct effect was statistically significant for the paths from childhood victimization to trait anxiety, depressive rumination, and depressive symptom severity. Moreover, the indirect effect of childhood victimization on depressive rumination mediated by trait anxiety was statistically significant. The indirect effects of childhood victimization on depressive symptom severity mediated by trait anxiety and depressive rumination were statistically significant. Furthermore, the indirect effect of childhood victimization on depressive symptom severity mediated by both trait anxiety and depressive rumination was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that childhood victimization directly and adversely influenced each of the above factors, and indirectly worsened adulthood depressive symptoms with trait anxiety and depressive ruminations as mediating factors. The present study is the first to clarify these mediation effects. Therefore, the results of this study suggest the importance of preventing childhood victimization and the importance of identifying and addressing childhood victimization in patients with clinical depression.

Rumination Mediates the Relationship Between Childhood Traumas with Cognitive Defusion, Acceptance, and Emotion Regulation: A Qualitative and Quantitative Study

This study examines the intermediary role of rumination in the relationship between childhood traumas in young adults and cognitive defusion, psychological acceptance, and suppression which is one of the emotion regulation strategies. In the quantitative stage of the study formed according to the explanatory sequential design, the intermediary role of rumination by using a structural equation model while in the qualitative stage, the intermediary role of rumination was analyzed through interviews using the interpretive phenomenology design. Personal Information Form, Childhood Trauma Scale, Short Form Ruminative Response Scale, Acceptance and Action Form II, Drexel Defusion Scale, and Emotion Regulation Scale were used in the research. At the end of the research, it was determined that childhood traumas have a negative effect on cognitive defusion and acceptance, while they have a positive effect on suppression. It was seen that rumination has a partial intermediary role in the relationship of childhood traumas with cognitive defusion, acceptance, and suppression. As a result of the qualitative analysis, twelve themes such as "Constantly thinking about the past, not being able to move away from childhood traumas, not being able to forgive their parents, inability to get rid of negative thoughts, living in the past, moving away from a value-driven life, false expression of emotion, suppression of emotions, emotions reflected in behavior, coping with negative emotions and desired emotion regulation" emerged concerning participants' experiences of cognitive defusion, acceptance, and suppression. Although one of the purposes of using AAQ-II in the study was to support discussions about the scale via qualitative results, this was a limitation for the study. Therefore, although a high rate was obtained, it is not possible to infer that childhood traumas and rumination can explain acceptance behaviors. For this, much more quantitative and qualitative studies are needed. Other qualitative research findings are thought to support quantitative research findings.

Childhood and adolescent trauma and dissociation: The mediating role of rumination, intrusive thoughts and negative affect

Dissociation is a complex phenomenon which is present in a wide variety of psychiatric disorders and also in the general population. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between childhood and adolescent traumas and development of dissociative phenomena in a nonclinical population, emphasizing the potentially mediating role of rumination, intrusive thoughts and negative affect in a population with no psychiatric pathology in adulthood. The sample was comprised of 337 participants from the general population (58.8% women) with a mean age of 33.10 years (SD: 14.08). They completed the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ), the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS), the White Bear Suppression Scale (WBSI), the Dissociative Experience Scale, 2d ver. Rev. (DES-II) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The results supported the starting hypotheses showing a positive correlation between childhood and adolescent trauma and dissociation, and between childhood and adolescent trauma and rumination, intrusive thoughts and negative affect, and mediation of these variables between childhood and adolescent trauma and dissociative states. The relationship between trauma in early ages and dissociation in adulthood is complex. Although the design used in this study was cross-sectional, the results are compatible with the starting hypothesis that rumination, intrusive thoughts and negative affect mediate this relationship.

The influence of childhood maltreatment on trait depression in patients with major depressive disorder: A moderated mediation model of rumination and mindful attention awareness

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders. Individuals who were exposed to childhood maltreatment might be an especially vulnerable group and were more likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for depression than those who were not. Trait depression refers to a personality trait predisposition to depression, expressed as the frequency of symptoms rather than a transient depressive mood state. Clarifying the relationship between childhood maltreatment and trait depression in patients with MDD has therefore become an important field of research. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), State-Trait Depression Scale (ST-DEP), and Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) were used as research instruments. SPSS 23.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis and examined the moderated mediation models. A total of 288 patients with MDD were included in this study. After standardization of the variables, the model revealed childhood maltreatment was positively associated with trait depression (β = 0.215, p < 0.001) and that rumination partially mediated the effect between childhood trauma and trait depression. Mindfulness moderated the association between rumination and trait depression in depressed patients (β = 0.171, p < 0.001). Simple slope tests showed that rumination significantly predicted trait depression in patients with high levels of mindfulness (bsimple = 0.460, p < 0.001, 95%CI = [0.339, 0.581]), while this predictive effect was not significant in patients with low levels (bsimple = 0.119, p = 0.097, 95%CI = [-0.022, 0.261]). After adding mediating variables, we found that the negative impact of childhood maltreatment on trait depression was both directly and indirectly through the patients' own ruminative levels. However, mindfulness performed a critical moderating role in the overall mediating model, aggravating the negative impact of childhood maltreatment on trait depression. There are several limitations in this study: the history of childhood maltreatment was reviewed and reported; the MAAS was a single-dimensional questionnaire that fails to measure the content of other mindfulness factors; cross-sectional data could not be used to infer the causal relationship between variables.

Rumination influences the relationship between trauma and depression over time among youth living with HIV

BACKGROUND

Traumatizing events often result in long-term mental health symptoms. Identifying the features of the post-trauma experiences that can impact mental health symptoms is key to designing effective interventions.

METHODS

Youth living with HIV (YLH),1 predominantly sexual and gender minorities (SGM;2 84 % gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, pansexual identities), 78 % Black and Latino, (N = 170) were recruited in New Orleans, LA and Los Angeles, CA from 13 youth-serving agencies. They were assessed for trauma, rumination and depression, with 78 % reassessed for depression at 4 and 74 % at 8 months later. Relationships between these variables were examined using a Bayesian approach to structural equation modeling.

RESULTS

At recruitment, 78 % of YLH reported at least one traumatic event, and 21 % met the cut-off score indicating depression on the PHQ-9. Ruminations were reported by 41 % of YLH. While associations between trauma and depression were modest (rmean = 0.19), ruminations were moderately associated with depressive symptoms over time (rmean = 0.34). Ruminations were only modestly associated with trauma (rmean = 0.19) but had a robust negative association (λSTD = -0.29) with the slope of depressive symptoms such that the more ruminations YLH experienced, the smaller the decline in depression over time. The associations between trauma and depression were more modest (λSTD ≤ 0.12). Limitations The main limitations of this study are the lack of a scale to measure trauma and the use of a single item measure of rumination.

CONCLUSION

Ruminations appear to be associated with traumatic events for a large subset of young people, suggesting that future interventions should consider including components addressing ruminations.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov registration NCT03109431.

Stress and rumination in Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): Identifying stable and menstrual cycle-related differences in PMS symptom severity

Since the inclusion of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) as a mood disorder in the DSM-5, Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms have received more attention from researchers and clinicians. In this large-scale study, we investigated core psychological concepts relevant to mood disorder vulnerability between people with 1) no to mild, 2) moderate to severe, and 3) PMDD levels of PMS symptoms. Several trait measures related to mood disorders including depressive symptoms, feelings of stress and anxiety, and ruminative thinking were measured (single measurement, N = 380) along with state (momentary) reports of stress and stress-related perseverative thinking (measured twice, once in the follicular and once in the premenstrual/luteal phase, N = 237). We consistently observed that participants with higher severity of PMS symptoms also scored higher on depression, anxiety, stress, and rumination (trait measures). We also found consistent increases in momentary stress and stress-related perseverative ruminative thinking with increased PMS symptoms at each of our two test moments (in the middle of the follicular and premenstrual/luteal phase respectively). Interestingly, we did not find significant differences between our two test moments for any group, despite PMS being characterized by specific systems in the premenstrual/luteal phase. However, this could be due to noise surrounding the testing moments due to the temporal resolution of the questionnaires and the menstrual cycle estimation method. Nevertheless, these results suggest that stress and rumination are important psychological mechanisms to consider in PMS. Future PMS research studying stress and rumination on a day-to-day basis in combination with hormonal measures is warranted.

Rumination mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia patients

Rumination and childhood trauma are related to depressive symptoms in clinical and non-clinical individuals. This is the first study aimed to test the mediating effect of rumination on the relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia patients. A total of 313 schizophrenia patients were recruited in the present study. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) was adopted to evaluate depressive symptoms, the short-form Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF) and the 10-item Ruminative response scale (RRS-10) were utilized to assess the childhood trauma and rumination in patients, respectively. Our results showed that 168 schizophrenia patients (53.67%) had comorbid depressive symptoms. These patients with depressive symptoms had higher levels of childhood trauma [both CTQ-SF total scores and emotional abuse (EA), emotional neglect (EN), physical neglect (PN) subscale scores] and rumination (both RRS-10 total scores and brooding, reflection subscale scores) compared to patients without depressive symptoms. The stepwise logistic regression analysis identified that EN (OR 1.196, P = 0.003), PN (OR 1.1294, P < 0.001), brooding (OR 1.291, P < 0.001) and reflection (OR 1.481, P < 0.001) could independently predict the depressive symptoms in schizophrenia patients. Moreover, RRS-10 and its subscale scores could mediate the relationship between depressive symptoms and childhood trauma, especially EA, EN and PN in schizophrenia. Our preliminary findings suggest that the rigorous assessment and psychosocial interventions of rumination are important to alleviate the influence of childhood trauma on depressive symptoms in schizophrenia patients.

Brain structural correlates of cognitive-attentional syndrome - a Voxel-Based Morphometry Study

Cognitive-attentional syndrome (CAS) is in the self-regulatory executive function model a set of cognitive and behavioural strategies aimed at regulating cognition and emotion originating from maladaptive metacognitive beliefs. Investigating the brain structure of people with high levels of CAS enables a better understanding of the syndrome and bridging between the metacognitive model of psychopathology and previous results on structural abnormalities in various psychological disorders. Participants with high (n=40) and low levels of CAS (n=44) underwent structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging session. Voxel-Based Morphometry analytical approach was used to compute grey matter volume (GMV) differences between the groups. The group with a high level of CAS had lower GMV in the dorsal part of the anterior cingulate cortex. Our results are in line with the self-regulatory executive function model of psychopathology, showing a link between CAS and lowered GMV in the brain region associated with the regulation of cognition and emotion. They are also in agreement with meta-analytical results on structural correlates of various psychological disorders.

Neural functional connectivity during rumination in individuals with adverse childhood experiences

BACKGROUND

Childhood adversity has been associated with greater risk of developing psychopathology, altered processing of emotional stimuli, and changes in neural functioning. Although the neural correlates of rumination have been previously described, little is known about how adverse childhood experiences are related to brain functioning during rumination.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored differences in neural functional connectivity between participants with and without histories of childhood adversity, controlling for tendency to ruminate, during resting-state and induction of rumination.

METHOD

A total of 86 adults (51 women) took part. Based on a diagnostic clinical interview, participants were divided into groups with and without adverse childhood experiences. All participants underwent resting-state imaging and a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan where they performed a rumination induction task.

RESULTS

Individuals with childhood adversities differed from those without adverse experiences in seed-based functional connectivity from right angular gyrus and left superior frontal gyrus during the rumination task. There were also group differences during resting-state in seed-based functional connectivity from the right angular gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and left superior frontal gyrus.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood adversity is associated with altered brain functioning during rumination and resting-state, even after controlling for tendency to ruminate. Our results shed light on the consequences of early adversity. People who experienced childhood adversities differ from those with no adverse experiences in brain functional connectivity when engaged in negative repetitive self-referential thinking.

Suicidal ideation among Chinese survivors of childhood sexual abuse: Associations with rumination and perceived social support

BACKGROUND

Although previous studies have shown that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) experiences might be related to suicidal ideation in later life, its associations with rumination and perceived social support (PSS) remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to expand prior findings among Chinese survivors of CSA to investigate rumination's effect on the association between CSA and suicidal ideation, and the potential moderating role of PSS in this relationship.

METHODS

The Childhood Sexual Abuse Questionnaire, the Ruminative Response Scale, the Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Symptom Checklist were completed by 6834 college students (56.61% females).

RESULTS

In all, 1400 (20.76%) students reported experiences of CSA. The rate of CSA in males was higher than that in females (24.23% vs. 18.10%). Students with CSA experiences reported a higher level of suicidal ideation than those without such experiences. CSA and rumination were positively related to suicidal ideation, and PSS were negatively related to CSA, rumination and suicidal ideation. CSA predicted suicidal ideation both directly and indirectly through rumination. PSS moderated the effect of rumination on suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence for the effects of rumination on the association between CSA and suicidal ideation, and the buffering role of PSS on the relationship between rumination and suicidal ideation in Chinese survivors with CSA experiences. These findings suggest that developing adaptive emotional regulation strategies and enhancing the level of PSS might contribute to the alleviation of negative influences from CSA.

Effectiveness of Nature- and Animal Assisted Mindfulness for Relapse Prevention in Depressed Patients With a History of Childhood Maltreatment

BACKGROUND

For relapse prevention in depression, conventional mindfulness programs such as the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy proved to be useful. However, early life trauma is a risk factor for having adverse experiences during meditation. Thus, for this patient group mindfulness skills are often difficult to learn and may be facilitated by using animals and a nature setting.

METHODS

The aim of the study was to evaluate the preventative efficacy of a nature- and animal assisted mindfulness program (NAM) over the course of 1 year in unstable or partially remitted depressed patients with a history of early life trauma. NAM included 8 group sessions of 150 min each over 8 weeks plus one booster session. Sixty-seven participants were randomized to either NAM combined with treatment-as-usual (TAU; guideline oriented treatment) or TAU alone. The primary outcome was depression diagnosis over the course of 12 months after end of treatment. Secondary outcomes included clinician- and self-rated depressive symptoms, quality of life, mindfulness skills, and rumination post, and 12 months after the intervention. In addition, we evaluated the participants' satisfaction with the program.

RESULTS

Analyses revealed significant differences in relapse rates and number of weeks depressed throughout the course in favor of NAM. Furthermore, global quality of life improved significantly more in the NAM group. There was no significant difference for other secondary outcomes. Satisfaction with the program was high with a low drop-out rate of 6%. The vast majority of the participants felt safe practicing mindfulness in nature and found sheep for assistance helpful and motivating.

CONCLUSIONS

A nature- and animal assisted mindfulness program proved to be feasible, highly acceptable, and more effective than standard treatment in preventing relapses in recurrently depressed patients with childhood maltreatment. Nature and animals can facilitate the engagement in the treatment process for individuals with a history of early trauma. However, further evidence in multicenter trials is necessary.

A Structural Model of Adverse Childhood Experiences as Antecedents of Rumination Leading to Lower Hope

Hope is well established within the positive psychology literature as a construct associated with psychological well-being. Recent research has also linked experiences of childhood trauma with lower hope into adulthood. Snyder's hope theory explains this link by suggesting that rumination, as a byproduct of trauma, limits survivors' ability to focus on present day goals, thereby lowering hope. To test this proposed link between childhood trauma and lower hope, we conducted two studies using independent samples of adults living in the United States (Study 1: N' = 258; Study 2: N' = 374). Per Snyder, the studies modeled childhood trauma as a driver of rumination leading to lower hope. The results of Study 1 indicated that a "full mediation" model, directly representing Snyder's theory, produced good fit (χ² = 254.02, p > .001; df = 131); root mean square error approximation (RMSEA) = .06 (90% confidence interval [CI]: .049, .072); standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = .055; comparative fit index (CFI): .927. A subsequent bootstrapping analysis (N = 5,000) validated the full mediation model. Study 2 provided identical results, indicating again that a full mediation model of the variables produced good fit. The data from both studies was consistent with Snyder's understanding of the link between trauma and lower hope. The article concludes with a discussion of the studies' implications, particularly how the data supports interventions, such as meditation, that may work to help buffer the ruminating impacts of childhood trauma.

A Half Century of Research on Childhood and Adolescent Depression: Science Mapping the Literature, 1970 to 2019

In order to gain an in-depth understanding of research about childhood and adolescent depression, this article analyzes the scale, development, and geographic distribution of the literature in the field based on 8491 articles extracted from the Web of Science Core database. Using citation analysis, this article identifies influential journals, scholars, and documents in this field. The study found that in the past 15 years, the number of documents has increased significantly and geographical diversity has also increased. Most of the highly influential literature relates to depression inventories. Using keyword co-occurrence analysis, this article also identified three key research topics focusing on (a) child and adolescent depression symptoms and prevalence, (b) parental depression and child behavioral or emotional problems, and (c) childhood abuse and depression. This study uses 'science mapping' as a means to provide a better understanding of research trends about childhood and adolescent depression that have emerged over the past half century, and may serve as reference for future research.

Association between Childhood Trauma and Suicidal Behavior in the General Population

This study aimed to investigate the associations between various types of childhood trauma and suicidal behavior in the general population in South Korea. This mental health survey included a total of 1,490 general citizens living in a metropolitan South Korean city who completed a questionnaire that assessed respondents' histories of childhood trauma before the age of 12 years, including bullying victimization, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and physical abuse, as well as suicidal behavior, including current suicidal ideation and histories of suicide planning and attempts. The following psychiatric scales were administered: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (R-SES), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and visual analogue scale of EuroQol 5D (EQ-5D). Participants who experienced any childhood trauma had significantly higher HADS and PSS scores, and significantly lower EQ-5D scores. Additionally, participants with any type of childhood trauma were significantly more likely to have current suicidal ideation and histories of planned and attempted suicide. Multivariate analyses adjusted for confounding variables indicated that bullying victimization and sexual abuse were associated significantly with all types of suicidal behavior. Physical abuse was associated significantly with histories of suicide planning and attempts. The present findings showed that any type of childhood trauma was associated with higher levels of suicidality, anxiety, depression, and perceived stress, as well as lower health-related quality of life, in the general population. In particular, associations between childhood trauma and suicidality were identified after adjustment for confounding variables.

Associations among childhood threat and deprivation experiences, emotion dysregulation, and mental health in pregnant women

OBJECTIVE

Women who have experienced childhood maltreatment are at increased risk for experiencing mental health problems. When these occur during pregnancy, they are associated with birth complications and worse developmental outcomes for children. Emotion dysregulation (ED) may be an important, and potentially modifiable, mechanism that links women's maltreatment experiences with their mental health. However, there is limited information about the emotion regulation skills of pregnant women to guide treatment. The current study examines the unique effects of childhood threat (physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and exposure to violence) and deprivation (physical and emotional neglect and separation from primary caregivers) experiences on pregnant women's ED, posttraumatic stress and negative emotional symptoms, and social support.

METHOD

Two hundred forty-three women were recruited from an urban prenatal care clinic, the majority of whom identified as Latinx (80%) and low-income (90%). The mean age of the women was 27 years (SD = 5.5).

RESULTS

Structural equation modeling revealed significant indirect pathways from childhood threat experiences to posttraumatic stress and negative emotional symptoms via women's ED. In contrast, childhood deprivation experiences were associated with inattention to one's emotions and low perceived social support.

CONCLUSIONS

These results underscore the importance of identifying women during pregnancy who may be at risk for ED or emotional inattentiveness due to childhood maltreatment experiences and providing prevention and intervention efforts aimed at enhancing their emotional awareness and regulation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Clinical effects of mindfulness-based interventions for adults with a history of childhood maltreatment: a scoping review

Purpose of review

Survivors of childhood maltreatment are at high risk for developing complex psychiatric disorders. Traditional treatments, including psychopharmacology, tend to be less efficacious for this population. This scoping review aimed to discuss existing empirical studies on the effects of mindfulness-based interventions for adult childhood trauma survivors, as well as the documented clinical challenges and adaptations for this population.

Recent findings

We reviewed 17 research articles that measured the effects of mindfulness-based interventions for adults with childhood maltreatment histories. These studies showed that mindfulness-based interventions can be beneficial for childhood maltreatment survivors to alleviate psychological symptoms including stress, anxiety, recurrent depression, substance use, and post-traumatic stress. Studies had a wide range of methodological quality and reported a broad range of effect sizes. The wide variety of outcome measures and control conditions made it difficult to compare across studies.

Summary

Mindfulness-based interventions can be beneficial for addressing psychopathology among adults with childhood maltreatment histories, although some adaptations can be necessary to address possible challenges this population are likely to encounter. More research is needed to specifically evaluate the clinical effects among childhood maltreatment survivors and to directly compare the effects among those with and without childhood maltreatment histories.

The Mediation Effect of Hyperarousal Symptoms on the Relationship Between Childhood Physical Abuse and Suicidal Ideation of Patients With PTSD

Objective: This study examined the relationship of childhood physical abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and suicide in patients with PTSD through path analysis. Materials and Methods: A total of 114 patients with PTSD (36 men and 78 women) were recruited and completed psychological assessments including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the scale for suicidal ideation, the clinician-administered PTSD scale for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, the PTSD checklist, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the results. We developed a model including childhood physical abuse experience as the causal variable, suicidal ideation as a result variable, and PTSD and depression as mediation variables. PTSD symptoms were divided into four clusters [intrusion, avoidance, negative cognition and mood, and altered arousal and reactivity (hyperarousal)] to determine predictive power for suicide. Results: PTSD symptoms fully mediated the relationship between childhood physical abuse and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, PTSD symptoms fully mediated the relationship between childhood physical abuse and depression. Among the PTSD symptoms, hyperarousal was the only symptom cluster that mediated the relationship between childhood physical abuse and suicidal ideation. The symptom clusters of negative cognition and mood as well as hyperarousal mediated the relationship between childhood physical abuse and depression. Conclusions: This study presents a link between childhood physical abuse and current symptoms in patients with PTSD, and highlights specific PTSD symptom clusters (i.e., hyperarousal, negative cognition and mood) that may increase the risk for psychopathology later in life.

Amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of spontaneous and induced rumination in major depression: An fNIRS study

In the current study, we investigated the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) at rest and during a rumination induction. Specifically, we explored the differences of cortical blood oxygenation using fNIRS in subjects with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and healthy controls (HC). Rumination was assessed as state and trait measure, as well as with a qualitative semi-structured interview. Qualitative and quantitative measures of rumination indicated that the MDD group showed elevated rumination regarding state and trait measures. Furthermore, rumination differed qualitatively between the groups. The MDD group showed higher levels of general rumination and increased rumination during the rumination induction. However, the MDD group did not show a carry-over effect of elevated rumination after the induction paradigm to the following resting-state measurement. On a neuronal level, we observed a general hypoactivity in the MDD group compared to the HC group. Moreover, both groups showed increased ALFF during the rumination induction compared to the rest phase, especially in temporo-parietal areas. However, no interaction effect of MDD status and rumination induction was found. The current findings are discussed with respect to the literature of paradigms used in the investigation of rumination and suggestions on general improvements in rumination research are given.

The relations between childhood maltreatment, shame, guilt, depression and suicidal ideation in inpatient adolescents

BACKGROUND

Previous studies demonstrated positive relations between various forms of maltreatment and suicidal ideation in youth; however, mechanisms underlying these relationships are not well understood. We propose that the experience of maltreatment in childhood may lead to high levels of generalized guilt and shame, resulting in an increase of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts in adolescents. The aim of the current study was to test our model of relations between these constructs using path analysis.

METHODS

112 inpatient adolescents aged 12-17 years completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire to measure various types of maltreatment, the Personal Feelings Questionnaire to evaluate generalized guilt and shame, the Beck Depression Inventory-II to assess depressive symptoms, and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale to assess suicidal ideation.

RESULTS

Findings partly confirmed the theoretical model. Indirect positive effects of sexual and emotional abuse, as well as emotional and physical neglect on suicidal ideation via generalized self-conscious emotion and/or depression were demonstrated. In contrast to our predictions, indirect negative effects of physical abuse on suicidal thoughts via generalized guilt and shame and depression were found.

LIMITATIONS

Sample characterized by predominately Caucasian inpatient adolescents from financially stable and well-educated environments, over-reliance on self-report measures and the lack of a longitudinal design were main limitations of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provides novel information on the potential mechanisms underlying the association between childhood maltreatment and suicidal ideation in adolescents. Generalized guilt and/or shame could be possible targets for interventions for victims of some forms of maltreatment to reduce depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation.

Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma Among Immigrant Mexican Women up to Two-Years Post-partum

Anxiety has significant consequences for maternal and infant health, and Mexican immigrant mothers are at significantly high-risk. This study examined whether maternal depressive symptoms and trauma are related to anxiety symptoms in perinatal Mexican immigrants. Data were collected from 103 Mexican women residing in the Midwestern United States who were pregnant or up to two years postpartum. Half were aged 30-34. The majority had two or more children and low socio-economic status. Linear regression analyses predicted current anxiety symptoms from current maternal depression symptoms, trauma history, and socio-demographics. Anxiety symptoms were significantly related to depressive symptoms (B = 0.87, 95% CI   0.73, 1.01) and trauma. Compared to women with no trauma history, women who experienced more than ten traumas had increased anxiety symptoms (B = 7.15, 95% CI 0.34, 13.96). Perinatal Mexican women with higher depression symptoms and trauma have increased anxiety symptoms, increasing the need for more comprehensive screening.

Child maltreatment and depression: A meta-analysis of studies using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire

BACKGROUND

Researchers have documented that child maltreatment is associated with adverse long-term consequences for mental health, including increased risk for depression. Attempts to conduct meta-analyses of the association between different forms of child maltreatment and depressive symptomatology in adulthood, however, have been limited by the wide range of definitions of child maltreatment in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to meta-analyze a single, widely-used dimensional measure of child maltreatment, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, with respect to depression diagnosis and symptom scores.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

192 unique samples consisting of 68,830 individuals.

METHODS

We explored the association between total scores and scores from specific forms of child maltreatment (i.e., emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect) and depression using a random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

We found that higher child maltreatment scores were associated with a diagnosis of depression (g = 1.07; 95 % CI, 0.95-1.19) and with higher depression symptom scores (Z = .35; 95 % CI, .32-.38). Moreover, although each type of child maltreatment was positively associated with depression diagnosis and scores, there was variability in the size of the effects, with emotional abuse and emotional neglect demonstrating the strongest associations.

CONCLUSIONS

These analyses provide important evidence of the link between child maltreatment and depression, and highlight the particularly larger association with emotional maltreatment in childhood.

The developmental origins of ruminative response style: An integrative review

Rumination has been conceptualized as a stable, trait-level response style involving repetitive and passive focus on the symptoms of distress and the possible causes and consequences of those symptoms. This theoretical review examines developmental risk factors of ruminative response style, incorporating a developmental psychopathology perspective. A model integrating these developmental factors within a conceptual framework is proposed, wherein risk factors for distress (i.e., temperamental negative affectivity, stressful environments, parenting, and genetic vulnerability) lead to engagement in rumination. We propose that when rumination is well-practiced, it will consolidate into a trait-like response style, especially among adolescents who experience cognitive control deficits. Reciprocal relationships and moderators that may contribute to the formation of a ruminative response style are also included. To understand how these factors converge and influence the formation of ruminative response styles, we review patterns of stability and change in physical and cognitive development to demonstrate that individual differences in rumination may emerge and consolidate into enduring, trait-level response styles during early adolescence.

The roles of early-life adversity and rumination in neural response to emotional faces amongst anxious and depressed adults

BACKGROUND

Early-life adversity (ELA) is a risk factor for internalizing psychopathology (IP). ELA is also linked to alterations in neural phenotypes of emotion processing and maladaptive emotion regulatory strategies, such as ruminative brooding, in adulthood. We therefore expected that ELA would predict cortical brain activation to emotional faces in transdiagnostic IP and in turn, mediate the extent of rumination amongst patients with IPs and ELA (IP + ELA).

METHOD

One hundred and thirty-two individuals, including 102 treatment-seeking adults with heterogeneous IPs and 30 healthy controls (HCs) performed an Emotional Face-Matching Task during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Whole-brain analyses compared HC (n = 30), IP (n = 52), and IP + ELA (n = 50) neural responses to emotional (angry, fearful, happy, and sad) faces v. shapes, controlling for depression and anxiety symptoms. Parameter estimates of activation were extracted for significant between-group differences and tested as a mediator of ruminative brooding in IP + ELA.

RESULTS

IP + ELA demonstrated increased activation in the superior frontal gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex (fear), superior parietal lobule, precuneus, posterior cingulate, and inferior temporal gyrus (fear only), and cuneus (fear and angry). These regions were preferentially correlated with ruminative brooding in IP + ELA, many of which mediated the link between IP + ELA and ruminative brooding.

CONCLUSIONS

Results provide evidence that ELA history amongst IP patients augments engagement of brain regions involved in emotion processing, above and beyond what is accounted for by current symptoms. Though longitudinal designs are needed, alterations in the neural correlates of maladaptive processing of socio-emotional information may be a common pathway by which ELA poses risk for psychopathology.

Are rumination and neuroticism genetically or environmentally distinct risk factors for psychopathology?

Neuroticism, a dispositional trait of heightened negative emotionality, is a vulnerability factor for psychopathology. Given neuroticism's strong association with rumination, a repetitive thought pattern that intensifies and prolongs emotions, some question whether these constructs capture the same or unique information about vulnerability for psychopathology. The present study examined whether neuroticism is genetically and environmentally distinct from two clinically relevant ruminative subtypes-anger and depressive rumination-and whether genetic and environmental influences specific to rumination versus shared with neuroticism overlap with internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. These analyses were conducted on 439 same-sex twin pairs in the Colorado Longitudinal Twin study. Rumination and neuroticism latent variables were created from multiple rumination questionnaires administered at age 23 and shortened Eysenck Personality Questionnaires administered at ages 17 and 21, respectively. Lifetime psychopathology symptoms, assessed by two structured clinical interviews, were used to create ordinal composite variables. Multivariate Cholesky decompositions indicated that neuroticism, anger rumination, and depressive rumination have common genetic and nonshared environmental influences but are differentiated by nonshared environmental influences specific to each ruminative subtype. Genetic influences common to rumination and neuroticism explained considerable variance in internalizing psychopathology, suggesting possible genetic mediation or common genetic causes. Genetic and environmental influences on externalizing psychopathology did not substantially overlap with those on neuroticism and rumination. These findings suggest that rumination and neuroticism share most genetic influences yet are influenced by distinct environmental influences. Furthermore, our results indicate that a comprehensive understanding of transdiagnostic risk factors must include an examination of both genetic and environmental influences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).