The Links Between Rumination, Perceived Social Support, And Symptoms Of Depression In Undergraduates

Rumination has been defined as repetitive and passive thinking about symptoms of depression and the possible causes and consequences of these symptoms. It has important influence on the onset, maintenance, and relapse of depression. The present study examined the effect of perceived social support on the relationship between rumination and depression. Data collected from a sample of619college students comprised an inventory of rumination, a measure of perceived social support and an assessment of current symptoms of depression. Different statistical methods were used in the whole data process, such as factor analysis, correlation analysis, regression analysis and structural equation modeling. Based on data analysis and process, the main results of the present study as follows:(I) Significant difference in grade was found on rumination, college freshmen tend to ruminate more than sophomore.(Ⅱ) There was significant difference in gender and grade on perceived social support. Male perceived lower lever of social support than female, junior perceived lower level of social support than freshmen and sophomore.(III) Significant difference was found in grade on depression. Sophomore and junior reported higher level of depressive symptoms than senior.(IV) There was a significant positive correlation between rumination and depressive symptoms and rumination positively predicted depressive symptoms.(V) There was a significant negative correlation between perceived social support and depressive symptoms and perceived social support negatively predicted depressive symptoms.(VI) The relation between rumination and depression symptoms were partially mediated by perceived social support.