Year: 2013
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: \nBackground \nResearch suggests that rumination predicts depression in adult and adolescent \npopulations and there is increasing evidence that rumination is a transdiagnostic \nfactor across psychological disorders. Whilst researchers have stressed the \nimportance of understanding the developmental antecedents of rumination and a \nnumber of hypotheses have been posited, this area has received little research \nattention. Additionally, the majority of existing research has relied on self-report \nmeasures of parenting. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of parental \nmodelling, low positivity and criticism in the development of rumination in offspring \nusing an observational measure called the Five Minute Speech Sample (FMSS). \nDesign \nA cross-sectional two-stage design was utilised. During stage one, sixth-form \ngirls and their mothers were invited to complete questionnaires measuring \nrumination and affect. At stage two, mothers of high rumination and low rumination \ndaughters were invited to complete the FMSS. \nResults \nRumination was not correlated in mothers and daughters, suggesting a lack of \nsupport for the role of modelling. Unfortunately, there was a paucity of critical \ncomments in this sample which hindered attempts to investigate the relationship \nbetween maternal criticism and offspring rumination. However, the data showed that \nthe mothers of low ruminators made twice as many positive comments about their \ndaughters compared to the mothers of high ruminators. This result remained \nsignificant even when controlling for mother and daughter affect variables. \n3 \nConclusions \nThe results suggest that low maternal positivity is associated with rumination in female adolescents. However, as this study was not experimental, causality cannot be inferred. Additionally, there was no evidence to support the role of parental modelling and the role of criticism could not be addressed. The results suggest a number of implications for clinical work and future research, including the need for prospective longitudinal studies using observational measures of parenting.
Author: Jessica L. Douglas
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W616977176