The Combined Effects of Self-Referent Information Processing and Ruminative Responses on Adolescent Depression

Abstract

Adolescents who develop depression have worse interpersonal and affective experiences and are more likely to develop substance problems and/or suicidal ideation compared to adolescents who do not develop depression. This study examined the combined effects of negative self-referent information processing and rumination (i.e., brooding and reflection) on adolescent depressive symptoms. It was hypothesized that the interaction of negative self-referent information processing and brooding would significantly predict depressive symptoms, while the interaction of negative self-referent information processing and reflection would not predict depressive symptoms. Adolescents (n = 92; 13-15 years; 34.7% female) participated in a 6-month longitudinal study. Self-report instruments measured depressive symptoms and rumination; a cognitive task measured information processing. Path modelling in Amos 19.0 analyzed the data. The interaction of negative information processing and brooding significantly predicted an increase in depressive symptoms 6 months later. The interaction of negative information processing and reflection did not significantly predict depression, however, the model not meet a priori standards to accept the null hypothesis. Results suggest clinicians working with adolescents at-risk for depression should consider focusing on the reduction of brooding and negative information processing to reduce long-term depressive symptoms.

A review of selected candidate endophenotypes for depression

“…In a study that assessed the 6 month stability of the SRET for negative stimuli in a community sample of adolescents, the correlation was not significant ( r = 0.16; Black & Pössel, 2012). However, a second study with a larger sample of children, assed the stability of the SRET for negative stimuli across 12 and 24 months, and the correlation was modest, but significant at each time point (12 and 24 months, r = 0.24 and r = 0.25, respectively; Hayden et al, 2013).…”

Stability of self-referent encoding task performance and associations with change in depressive symptoms from early to middle childhood

“…For negative processing scores, the one-year stability coefficients were r = .25 and .26, and two-year stability was r = .22. However, another study of 100 adolescents that only included negative adjectives found that the 6-month stability coefficient was r = .16 for negative processing, which was not significant (Black & Pössel, 2013). …”

“…First, the literature indicates that negative and positive processing are both associated with current depressive symptoms in youth; however, this link is more robust and may develop earlier for biased recall of positive material (Cole & Jordan, 1995; Hayden, Olino, Mackrell, et al 2013). Second, there is some evidence supporting the stability of SRET processing scores in youth, although stability is modest at best (Black & Pössel, 2013; Hayden, Olino, Mackrell, et al, 2013). Third, several studies suggest that positive, but not negative, processing may predict later depressive symptoms in children (Black & Pössel, 2013; Hayden, Olino, Mackrell, et al, 2013).…”

“…Second, there is some evidence supporting the stability of SRET processing scores in youth, although stability is modest at best (Black & Pössel, 2013; Hayden, Olino, Mackrell, et al, 2013). Third, several studies suggest that positive, but not negative, processing may predict later depressive symptoms in children (Black & Pössel, 2013; Hayden, Olino, Mackrell, et al, 2013). Finally, there is little evidence that, at least in community samples, depressive symptoms are associated with subsequent SRET processing (Black & Pössel, 2013; Hayden, Olino, Mackrell, et al, 2013).…”

Meta-analyses of cardiovascular responses to rumination : exploring mechanisms linking depression and hostility to cardiovascular disease.

“…This type of rumination (known as sadness or depressive rumination) is associated with withdrawn behaviors (Dickson, Ciesla, & Reilly, 2012), self-critical and self-blaming thoughts (Rimes & Watkins, 2005), and other depressogenic cognitions (Winkeljohn Black & Pössel, 2013).…”