Exploring the impact of rumination, defense style, and stress on adjustment and depressive symptoms

This study examined the hypothesized interaction between rumination and defense style as diatheses for maladjustment and dysphoria. One hundred sixty seven participants completed measures of defense style, rumination, depressive symptoms, and adjustment at Time 1, and returned four weeks later at Time 2 to complete measures of negative life experiences, major life stressors, depressive symptoms, and adjustment. Supporting our hypotheses, significant interactions were found among rumination, immature defense style, and stress in predicting changes in adjustment and depressive symptoms over time. Results indicated that individuals with high levels of rumination, if possessing immature defense style, are particularly prone to increases in depressive symptoms and maladjustment when faced with high stress. This work has potential benefits for understanding the cognitive mechanisms that lead to depression. Research and clinical implications are discussed