The Role of Parenting in the Development of Rumination

Douglas, Jessica (2013) The Role of Parenting in the Development of Rumination. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Abstract
Background
Research suggests that rumination predicts depression in adult and adolescent
populations and there is increasing evidence that rumination is a transdiagnostic
factor across psychological disorders. Whilst researchers have stressed the
importance of understanding the developmental antecedents of rumination and a
number of hypotheses have been posited, this area has received little research
attention. Additionally, the majority of existing research has relied on self-report
measures of parenting. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of parental
modelling, low positivity and criticism in the development of rumination in offspring
using an observational measure called the Five Minute Speech Sample (FMSS).
Design
A cross-sectional two-stage design was utilised. During stage one, sixth-form
girls and their mothers were invited to complete questionnaires measuring
rumination and affect. At stage two, mothers of high rumination and low rumination
daughters were invited to complete the FMSS.
Results
Rumination was not correlated in mothers and daughters, suggesting a lack of
support for the role of modelling. Unfortunately, there was a paucity of critical
comments in this sample which hindered attempts to investigate the relationship
between maternal criticism and offspring rumination. However, the data showed that
the mothers of low ruminators made twice as many positive comments about their
daughters compared to the mothers of high ruminators. This result remained
significant even when controlling for mother and daughter affect variables.
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Conclusions
The 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.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Users 2259 not found.
Date Deposited:	11 Mar 2014 10:07
Last Modified:	11 Mar 2014 10:07
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/48037
DOI:

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