Cognitive vulnerabilities, stressful life events and depression: The relationship between rumination and adulthood trauma as vulnerability factors to depression

Abstract

Cognitive vulnerabilities such as the tendency to ruminate have been established as important factors in depression and have been associated with traumatic life events that happen during childhood, especially emotional and sexual abuse. Less is known about the relationship between rumination, depression and traumatic events that happen in adulthood. The aim of the current study was to explore whether rumination is associated with a history of depression, and critically, to investigate if adulthood trauma in those with a prior history of depression is associated with a heightened disposition to engage in rumination. This was explored in the context of the possible differential effects of different subtypes of trauma.