Date of Award

Spring 2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Catherine Bagwell

Abstract

Co-rumination is the act of negatively discussing problems with another person. The focus of co-rumination is generally on the negative aspects, or things that cannot be changed as opposed to active problem solving. Co-rumination is positively associated with positive friendship quality as well as internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Co-rumination is most commonly studied in children and adolescents, but the present study extends this research by looking at the undergraduate population. In addition the current study aims to find differences in co-rumination in response to four different hypothetical scenarios. One hundred and thirty one students at the University of Richmond participated in this study, completing a series of questionnaires and free response questions. It was found that students are more likely to co- ruminate when another peer is involved, as opposed to intrapersonal problems. As hypothesized, co-rumination was associated with positive adjustment (i.e., high friendship quality) and negative adjustment (i.e., anxiety and depression). In conclusion, co-rumination seems to be more specific to interpersonal problems and can be both a positive and negative act for undergraduate men and women.

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