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First published online September 26, 2017

Negative Event Recall as a Vulnerability for Depression: Relationship Between Momentary Stress-Reactive Rumination and Memory for Daily Life Stress

Samantha L. Connolly [email protected] and Lauren B. AlloyView all authors and affiliations

Volume 6, Issue 1

https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702617729487

Abstract

The current research utilized ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology to test the hypotheses that (a) engaging in greater rumination following stress (stress-reactive rumination, SRR) would lead to improved stressor recall and (b) this improved memory for stress would predict increases in depressive symptoms. One hundred and twenty-one participants received smartphone alerts in which they reported on their experience of negative life events (NLEs) as well as SRR and depressed mood after event occurrence. NLEs followed by increased SRR were more likely to be recalled 2 weeks later. Furthermore, individuals who endorsed and recalled more stressors displayed increased depressive symptoms. Contrary to hypotheses, no evidence was found for a mediational effect in which SRR predicted depressive symptoms and was mediated by memory for NLEs. Current findings demonstrate a relationship between rumination following stress and the subsequent recall of those stressors and support the role of negative event recall as a vulnerability factor for depression.

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Published In

Clinical Psychological Science

Volume 6, Issue 1

Pages: 32 - 47

Article first published online: September 26, 2017

Issue published: January 2018

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PubMed: 29552424

Authors

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Samantha L. Connolly

Department of Psychology, Temple University

[email protected]

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Lauren B. Alloy

Department of Psychology, Temple University

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Notes

Samantha L. Connolly, Department of Psychology, Temple University, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 E-mail: [email protected]

Author Contributions

S. L. Connolly and L. B. Alloy developed the study concept and study design. S. L. Connolly collected and prepared the data, conducted analyses, interpreted the findings. S. L. Connolly drafted the manuscript and L. B. Alloy provided critical revisions. Both authors approved the final version of the manuscript for submission.

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