The relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic growth, and rumination in adolescents after earthquake: A systematic review

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.

Trait rumination in post-stress growth among Chinese college students: the chain mediating effect of distress disclosure and perceived social support

Background

Rumination has emerged as a significant factor contributing to personal growth following periods of stress or trauma. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between trait rumination and post-stress growth (PSG) within the context of Chinese college students who encounter mild stressors in their daily lives. Moreover, we aim to evaluate the potential mediating roles played by both distress disclosure and perceived social support in this dynamic relationship.

Method

All participants completed assessments using the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, Rumination Response Scale, Post-Stress Growth Inventory, Distress Disclosure Index, and Perceived Social Support Scale. Correlation and mediation analyses were conducted using SPSS PROCESS 4 MACRO.

Results

All students reported experiencing mild psychological impacts as a result of negative life events in the past year and displayed moderate levels of PSG. There was no significant correlation observed between the effects of negative life events and PSG. Significant negative correlations were found between trait rumination and distress disclosure, perceived social support, and PSG. Distress disclosure and perceived social support jointly operated as sequential mediators in the relationship between trait rumination and PSG among all the participants. Qualitative analyses revealed different correlation patterns of high- versus low-ruminator.

Conclusion

Trait rumination affects PSG both directly and indirectly, through its influence on distress disclosure and perceived social support. Our results emphasize the significance of actively participating in distress disclosure and nurturing a robust sense of social support to counteract the detrimental effects of rumination on post-stress growth among Chinese college students.

Social support and posttraumatic growth: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The beneficial role of social support on posttraumatic growth (PTG) has been assumed by theoretical models and established in some studies. However, there are inconsistent findings and little knowledge on moderators. The present study aims to investigate the overall effect size of the relationship and identify factors affecting the association.

METHODS

Six electronic databases were searched. Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) were used to evaluate the quality of studies. Study quality, study design, trauma type, PTG measure, social support measure, continent, publishing language, sample size, gender, religion, and age were analyzed as moderators. Meta-regression was conducted with the significant differential predictors in moderator analysis.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 217 samples and a total of 47,940 participants from both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. There was a medium positive effect size between social support and PTG in random effect model, r = 0.418, p < .001. The meta-regression analysis indicated that the association between social support and PTG was stronger among caregivers (vs. other traumatized samples), Chinese, older individuals and studies with smaller sample size.

LIMITATIONS

Only survey results were included in the analysis. The retrospective self-report may limit a more objective assessment of the relations. In addition, 87 % of the studies were cross-sectional, which may influence the estimation of a valid effect size.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding the medium positive association between social support and PTG, it is important to enhance social support for trauma survivors. It will be especially effective for caregivers, Chinese, and older people.