Rumination and excessive reassurance-seeking in depression: A cognitive-interpersonal integration

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary investigation into the cross-sectional associations between depression, rumination, and excessive reassurance-seeking. Guided by conceptual linkages between these variables, ruminative response style was examined as both a potential moderator and as a potential mediator of the association between depressive symptoms and excessive reassurance-seeking in a sample of undergraduate students (N=244). Results from this investigation suggest that rumination mediates, but does not moderate, the association between depression and excessive reassurance-seeking. Findings are discussed within the context of integrating cognitive and interpersonal perspectives within the study of depression. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.