Psychological Development and Education ›› 2016, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (5): 631-640.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2016.05.14

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Co-rumination: Conceptualization, Measurements and Theoretical Explanation

FAN Cuiying1,2, CHU Xiaowei1,2, WANG Mingzhong3, ZHOU Zongkui1,2   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430079;
    2. School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079;
    3. School of Education Science, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273165
  • Online:2016-09-15 Published:2016-09-15

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Abstract: Co-rumination refers to excessive discussion of personal problems within a dyadic relationship. It brings about the adjustment trade-offs for individuals. Specifically, co-rumination is not only related to the positive aspects of friendships, but also related to one's internalizing problems such as depression and anxiety. Previous research mainly investigated such themes as gender differences, developmental characteristics, and manifestations in different close relationships of co-rumination. Findings indicated that the adjustment trade-offs produced by co-rumination were more salient in females than in males, and were more salient in adolescence than in childhood. The relationship between co-rumination and individuals' internalizing problems was explained through certain perspectives including peer contagion, stress generation, empathetic distress and physiological mechanisms. Detecting the negative impacts of co-rumination on individuals' adjustment in close relationships such as friendships might be difficult and co-rumination can be taken as a risk signal of one's internalizing problems such as depression and anxiety. The topic concerning co-rumination could be deepened in the future research by testing personality and social environment as potential predictors.

Key words: co-rumination, empathetic distress, peer contagion, adjustment trade-offs, internalizing problems

CLC Number: 

  • B844

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