Abstract
This study examined how social support seeking and rumination interacted to predict depression and anxiety symptoms 6 months later in early adolescents (N = 118; 11-14 years at baseline). We expected social support seeking would be more helpful for adolescents engaging in low rather than high levels of rumination. Adolescents self-reported on all measures at baseline, and on depression and anxiety symptoms 6 months later. Social support seeking predicted fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety at low rumination levels but was not associated with benefits as rumination increased. For depression symptoms, social support seeking predicted more symptoms at high rumination levels. Results were stronger for emotion-focused than problem-focused support seeking and for depression compared with anxiety symptoms. These findings suggest that cognitive risk factors like rumination may explain some inconsistencies in previous social support literature, and highlight the importance of a nuanced approach to studying social support seeking.
|
Abela, J. R., Hankin, B. L. (2011). Rumination as a vulnerability factor to depression during the transition from early to middle adolescence: A multiwave longitudinal study. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 120, 259-271. doi:10.1037/a0022796 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Abela, J. R., Hankin, B. L., Sheshko, D. M., Fishman, M. B., Stolow, D. (2012). Multi-wave prospective examination of the stress-reactivity extension of response styles theory of depression in high-risk children and early adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 40, 277-287. doi:10.1007/s10802-011-9563-x Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Abela, J. R., Vanderbilt, E., Rochon, A. (2004). A test of the integration of the response styles and social support theories of depression in third and seventh grade children. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23, 653-674. doi:10.1521/jscp.23.5.653.50752 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
|
Alloy, L. B., Kelly, K. A., Mineka, S., Clements, C. M. (1990). Comorbidity in anxiety and depressive disorders: A helplessness-hopelessness perspective. In Maser, J. D., Cloninger, C. R. (Eds.), Comorbidity in anxiety and mood disorders (pp. 499-543). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association. Google Scholar | |
|
Ayers, T. S., Sandler, I. N., West, S. G., Roosa, M. W. (1996). A dispositional and situational assessment of children’s coping: Testing alternative models of coping. Journal of Personality, 64, 923-958. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.1996.tb00949 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Beesdo, K., Knappe, S., Pine, D. S. (2009). Anxiety and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: Developmental issues and implications for DSM-V. The Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 32, 483-524. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2009.06.002 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Burwell, R. A., Shirk, S. R. (2007). Subtypes of rumination in adolescence: Associations between brooding, reflection, depressive symptoms, and coping.Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 36(1), 56-65. doi: 10.1080/15374410709336568 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Carver, C. S., Scheier, M. F., Weintraub, J. K. (1989). Assessing coping strategies: A theoretically based approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 267-283. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.56.2.267 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Chaplin, T. M., Gillham, J. E., Seligman, M. E. (2009). Gender, anxiety, and depressive symptoms: A longitudinal study of early adolescents. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 29, 307-327. doi:10.1177/0272431608320125 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
|
Cohen, J., Cohen, P., West, S. G., Aiken, L. S. (2003). Applied multiple regression/correlation analysis for the behavioral sciences (3rd ed.). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Google Scholar | |
|
Compas, B. E., Connor-Smith, J. K., Saltzman, H., Thomsen, A. H., Wadsworth, M. E. (2001). Coping with stress during childhood and adolescence: Problems, progress, and potential in theory and research. Psychological Bulletin, 127, 87-127. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.127.1.87 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Cox, S. J., Mezulis, A. H., Hyde, J. S. (2010). The influence of child gender role and maternal feedback to child stress on the emergence of the gender difference in depressive rumination in adolescence. Developmental Psychology, 46, 842-852. doi:10.1037/a0019813 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Coyne, J. C. (1976). Depression and the response of others. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 85, 186-193. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.85.2.186 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Davis, R. N., Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2000). Cognitive inflexibility among ruminators and nonruminators. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 24, 699-711. doi:10.1023/A:1005591412406 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
|
Evraire, L. E., Dozois, D. J. (2011). An integrative model of excessive reassurance seeking and negative feedback seeking in the development and maintenance of depression. Clinical Psychology Review, 31, 1291-1303. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2011.07.014 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Flynn, M., Kecmanovic, J., Alloy, L. B. (2010). An examination of integrated cognitive-interpersonal vulnerability to depression: The role of rumination, perceived social support, and interpersonal stress generation. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 34, 456-466. doi:10.1007/s10608-010-9300-8 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Garber, J., Weersing, V. R. (2010). Comorbidity of anxiety and depression in youth: Implications for treatment and prevention. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 17, 293-306. doi:10.1001/jama.2009.788 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Gaylord-Harden, N. K., Cunningham, J. A. (2009). The impact of racial discrimination and coping strategies on internalizing symptoms in African American youth. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38, 532-543. doi:10.1007/s10964-008-9377-5 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Gillham, J. E., Reivich, K. J., Brunwasser, S. M., Freres, D. R., Chajon, N. D., Kash-MacDonald, V., . . . Seligman, M. E. P. (2012). Evaluation of a group cognitive-behavioral depression prevention program for young adolescents: A randomized effectiveness trial. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 41, 621-639. doi:10.1080/15374416.2012.706517 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Gonzales, N. A., Tein, J. Y., Sandler, I. N., Friedman, R. J. (2001). On the limits of coping interaction between stress and coping for inner-city adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Research, 16, 372-395. doi:10.1177/0743558401164005 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
|
Gotlib, I. H., Lewinsohn, P. M., Seeley, J. R. (1995). Symptoms versus a diagnosis of depression: Differences in psychosocial functioning. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63, 90-100. doi:10.1037/0022006X.63.1.90 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Hammack, P. L., Richards, M. H., Luo, Z., Edlynn, E. S., Roy, K. (2004). Social support factors as moderators of community violence exposure among inner-city African American young adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 33, 450-462. doi:10.1207/s15374424jccp3303_3 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Hammen, C. (1991). Generation of stress in the course of unipolar depression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100, 555-561. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.100.4.555 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Hankin, B. L., Stone, L., Wright, P. A. (2010). Corumination, interpersonal stress generation, and internalizing symptoms: Accumulating effects and transactional influences in a multiwave study of adolescents. Development and Psychopathology, 22, 217-235. doi:10.1017/S0954579409990368 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Hayes, A. F. (2013). An introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: A regression-based approach. New York, NY: Guilford Press. Google Scholar | |
|
Joiner, T. E., Metalsky, G. I., Katz, J., Beach, S. R. (1999). Depression and excessive reassurance-seeking. Psychological Inquiry, 10, 269-278. doi:10.1207/S15327965PLI1004_1 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
|
Kessler, R. C., Avenevoli, S., Merikangas, K. R. (2001). Mood disorders in children and adolescents: An epidemiologic perspective. Biological Psychiatry, 49, 1002-1014. doi:10.1016/S0006-3223(01)01129-5 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Kovacs, M. (2001). Children’s Depression Inventory manual. North Tonawanda, NY: Multi-Health Systems. Google Scholar | |
|
Krause, E. D., Kaltman, S., Goodman, L. A., Dutton, M. A. (2008). Avoidant coping and PTSD symptoms related to domestic violence exposure: A longitudinal study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 21, 83-90. doi:10.1002/jts.20288 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Krause, E. D., Mendelson, T., Lynch, T. R. (2003). Childhood emotional invalidation and adult psychological distress: The mediating role of emotional inhibition. Child Abuse & Neglect, 27, 199-213. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(02)00536-7 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Landis, D., Gaylord-Harden, N. K., Malinowski, S. L., Grant, K. E., Carleton, R. A., Ford, R. E. (2007). Urban adolescent stress and hopelessness. Journal of Adolescence, 30, 1051-1070. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2007.02.001 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Leadbeater, B., Thompson, K., Gruppuso, V. (2012). Co-occurring trajectories of symptoms of anxiety, depression, and oppositional defiance from adolescence to young adulthood. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 41, 719-730. doi:10.1080/15374416.2012.694608 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Lopez, C. M., Felton, J. W., Driscoll, K. A., Kistner, J. A. (2012). Brooding rumination and internalizing symptoms in childhood: Investigating symptom specificity in a multi-wave prospective study. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 5, 240-253. doi:10.1521/ijct.2012.5.3.240 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Luthar, S. S., Zelazo, L. B. (2003). Research on resilience: An integrative review. In Luthar, S. S. (Ed.), Resilience and vulnerability: Adaptation in the context of childhood adversities (pp. 510-549). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press. Google Scholar | Crossref | |
|
Lyubomirsky, S., Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1995). Effects of self-focused rumination on negative thinking and interpersonal problem solving. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69, 176-190. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.69.1.176 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
McLaughlin, K. A., Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2011). Rumination as a transdiagnostic factor in depression and anxiety. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 49, 186-193. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.12.006 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Muris, P., Fokke, M., Kwik, D. (2009). The ruminative response style in adolescents: An examination of its specific link to symptoms of depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 33, 21-32. doi:10.1007/s10608-007-9120-7 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
|
Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1991). Responses to depression and their effects on the duration of depressive episodes. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100, 569-582. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.100.4.569 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Morrow, J. (1991). A prospective study of depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms after a natural disaster: The 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61, 561-570. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.61.1.115 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
|
Reynolds, C. R., Richmond, B. O. (1985). Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale manual. Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services. Google Scholar | |
|
Reynolds, W. M. (2002). Reynolds Adolescent Depression Scale-2: Professional manual. Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources. Google Scholar | |
|
Rose, A. J. (2002). Co-rumination in the friendships of girls and boys. Child Development, 73, 1830-1843. doi:10.1111/1467-8624.00509 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Rose, A. J., Carlson, W., Waller, E. M. (2007). Prospective associations of co-rumination with friendship and emotional adjustment: Considering the socioemotional trade-offs of co-rumination. Developmental Psychology, 43, 1019-1031. doi:10.1037/0012-1649.43.4.1019 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Sandler, I. N., Ayers, T. S., Wolchik, S. A., Tein, J. Y., Kwok, O. M., Haine, R. A., . . . Griffin, W. A. (2003). The family bereavement program: Efficacy evaluation of theory-based prevention program for parentally bereaved children and adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 587-600. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.71.3.587 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Sandler, I. N., Tein, J. Y., West, S. G. (1994). Coping, stress, and the psychological symptoms of children of divorce: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Child Development, 65, 1744-1763. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.1994.tb00846.x Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Schmidt, M. E., Bagwell, C. L. (2007). The protective role of friendships in overtly and relationally victimized boys and girls. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 53, 439-460. doi:10.1353/mpq.2007.0021 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
|
Skinner, E. A., Edge, K., Altman, J., Sherwood, H. (2003). Searching for the structure of coping: A review and critique of category systems for classifying ways of coping. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 216-269. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.129.2.216 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Thoits, P. A. (2011). Mechanisms linking social ties and support to physical and mental health. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 52, 145-161. doi:10.1177/0022146510395592 Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI | |
|
Uchino, B. N. (2006). Social support and health: A review of physiological processes potentially underlying links to disease outcomes. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 29, 377-387. doi:10.1007/s10865-006-9056-5 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
von Hippel, W., Vasey, M. W., Gonda, T., Stern, T. (2008). Executive function deficits, rumination and late-onset depressive symptoms in older adults. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 32, 474-487. doi:10.1007/s10608-006-9034-9 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI | |
|
Watkins, E. D., Baracaia, S. (2002). Rumination and social problem-solving in depression. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 40, 1179-1189. doi:10.1016/S0005-7967(01)00098-5 Google Scholar | Crossref | Medline | ISI | |
|
Weinstock, L. M., Whisman, M. A. (2007). Rumination and excessive reassurance-seeking in depression: A cognitive-interpersonal integration. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 31, 333-342. doi:10.1007/s10608-006-9004-2 Google Scholar | Crossref | ISI |

