Rumination as a Mediator Between Peer Rejection and Depressive Symptoms in Teens

Wioleta Karna; Amelia Wright; Giselle Mata

doi:10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.16

Authors

Wioleta Karna Department of Social Studies, Jesuit University Ignatianum, Krakow, Poland

Amelia Wright * Department of Psychology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK amelia.wright@leeds.ac.uk

Giselle Mata Research Centre in Education (CIE-ISPA), ISPA—Instituto Universitário de Ciências Psicológicas, Sociais e da Vida, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal

https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.16

Keywords:

Peer rejection, rumination, depressive symptoms, adolescence

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine whether rumination mediates the relationship between peer rejection and depressive symptoms in adolescents.

Methods and Materials: A descriptive correlational design was employed with a sample of 380 adolescents aged 13 to 18 from secondary schools in London. The sample size was determined based on the Morgan and Krejcie sample size table to ensure statistical power. Standardized self-report instruments were used to assess peer rejection, rumination, and depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients in SPSS-27 and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in AMOS-21 to test the hypothesized mediation model. Model fit was assessed using χ²/df, CFI, GFI, AGFI, TLI, and RMSEA.

Findings: Descriptive statistics indicated moderate levels of depressive symptoms (M = 22.84, SD = 6.73), rumination (M = 30.42, SD = 5.26), and peer rejection (M = 18.67, SD = 4.89). Pearson correlation results revealed significant positive correlations between depressive symptoms and both rumination (r = .54, p < .001) and peer rejection (r = .46, p < .001). Rumination was also positively correlated with peer rejection (r = .39, p < .001). SEM showed good model fit (χ² = 104.23, df = 48, χ²/df = 2.17, CFI = .97, RMSEA = .056), and confirmed that rumination significantly mediated the relationship between peer rejection and depressive symptoms (indirect effect: b = 0.23, β = .17, p < .001). The total effect of peer rejection on depressive symptoms was b = 0.54, β = .45, p < .001.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that rumination plays a significant mediating role in the association between peer rejection and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Interventions aimed at reducing ruminative thought patterns may mitigate the impact of peer-related stressors on adolescent mental health.

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