Association between trait rumination and co-rumination in instant messaging and its possible relationship to depressive symptomatology

This study explores the relationship between trait rumination (concrete and abstract), face-to-face co-rumination and co-rumination on instant messaging applications, as well as their potential impact on depressive symptomatology in young adults. The sample included 329 individuals aged 18 to 35 years (70.8 % women). The results indicated that women scored higher in instant messaging use, co-rumination (face-to-face and via instant messaging) and depressive symptomatology, although no gender differences were found in trait rumination. Additionally, it was found that as participant age increased, the trait rumination scores also increased, while the instant messaging co-rumination levels were higher in the younger participants. Mediation analyses indicated that abstract co-rumination had both a direct and an indirect effect on depressive symptomatology through face-to-face co-rumination, regardless of participant gender or age. Face-to-face co-rumination in turn, affected instant messaging co-rumination both directly and indirectly and was mediated by the time of application use. Notably, gender moderated the relationship between instant messaging use time and co-rumination on instant messaging, with this effect being more pronounced in women. These findings highlight the importance of considering the role of instant messaging, alongside with factors like age and gender, in perpetuating co-rumination and its influence on mental health when designing interventions.