Date of Award

Spring 2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Catherine Bagwell

Abstract

The current study examines the relationship between co-rumination and adjustment in women during the transition to college. Corumination refers to extensively discussing and revisiting problems, speculating about problems, and focusing on negative feelings (Rose, 2002). This study uses a short-term longitudinal design to examine the adjustment trade-offs associated with co-rumination in female students (including positive relationship qualities and internalizing distress). The study also examines these effects across multiple close friendships rather than only one best friend. Female first year students at the University of Richmond completed an online questionnaire including measures of co-rumination, levels of anxiety and depression, friendship quality, and self esteem at Time 1 (T1) in the fall and again at Time 2 (T2) in the Spring. At both T1 and T2, levels of corumination across the three friends were highly correlated. At T1 there were no significant correlations between corumination and positive friendship quality or symptoms of depression and anxiety, however at T2, these adjustment trade-offs emerged for participants’ relationship with their third closest friend. Lastly our findings suggest that corumination was not associated with adjustment over time.

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