Rumination and Adaptation following Stressful Life Events

Abstract

In order to compare the efficacy of extensive cognitive attention (rumination) and avoidance after stressful events, forty middle-aged women were asked to describe their responses to specific stressful life events for the periods one week, three months, and six months post-stress. Rumination decreased in the time periods surveyed, but at different rates according to degree of stress. The long-term efficacy of post-stress rumination, measured by current level of distress-related symptoms, varied as a function of degree of stress and amount of time elapsed since the stress. Although initial high rumination after a highly stressful event was not shown to be necessary for adjustment in the long-run, it did not appear to interfere with such adjustment. A low degree of rumination seemed to be most efficacious, at one week after a low stress experience, and both three and six months after a high stress experience. Discussion of the role of perceived control in facilitating and inhibiting coping is also included.