Adjustment trade-offs of co-rumination in mother-adolescent relationships

J Adolesc. 2010 Jun;33(3):487-97. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.06.002. Epub 2009 Jul 18.

Abstract

The current study examined co-rumination (i.e., extensively discussing, rehashing, and speculating about problems) in the context of mother-adolescent relationships. Fifth-, eighth-, and eleventh-graders (N=516) reported on co-rumination and more normative self-disclosure with mothers, their relationships with mothers, and their own internalizing symptoms. A subset of mothers (N=200) reported on mother-adolescent co-rumination and self-disclosure. Results from the adolescent-report data indicated greater mother-adolescent co-rumination with daughters than sons and also adjustment trade-offs of mother-adolescent co-rumination. Mother-adolescent co-rumination was related to positive relationship quality but also to enmeshment in the relationship. Whereas the relation with positive relationship quality appeared to be due in part to normative self-disclosure, the relation with enmeshment was unique to co-rumination. Mother-adolescent co-rumination also was related to youth anxiety/depression. The relations with enmeshment and internalizing symptoms were strongest when co-rumination focused on the mothers' problems. Implications of mother-adolescent co-rumination for promoting appropriate relationship boundaries and youth well-being are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Attention*
  • Behavioral Symptoms / epidemiology
  • Behavioral Symptoms / psychology
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dependency, Psychological*
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Male
  • Mother-Child Relations*
  • Parenting / psychology
  • Personality Assessment / statistics & numerical data
  • Problem Solving*
  • Psychometrics
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Disclosure*