Negative Event Recall as a Vulnerability for Depression: Relationship between Momentary Stress-Reactive Rumination and Memory for Daily Life Stress

Abstract

The current research utilized ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology to test the hypotheses that: 1) engaging in greater rumination following stress (stress-reactive rumination; SRR) would lead to improved stressor recall, and 2) this improved memory for stress would predict increases in depressive symptoms. One hundred twenty-one participants received smartphone alerts in which they reported on their experience of negative life events (NLEs) as well as SRR and depressed mood after event occurrence. NLEs followed by increased SRR were more likely to be recalled two weeks later. Furthermore, individuals who endorsed and recalled more stressors displayed increased depressive symptoms. Contrary to hypotheses, no evidence was found for a mediational effect in which SRR predicted depressive symptoms and was mediated by memory for NLEs. Current findings demonstrate a relationship between rumination following stress and the subsequent recall of those stressors, and support the role of negative event recall as a vulnerability factor for depression.

Figure 1

Negative Life Events Interact with Proportional Event Recall to Predict T3 Depressive Symptoms (BDI-II) Note. Analyses include 118 participants. T2 depressive symptoms (BDI-II score) were controlled. NLE = negative life events; Recall = NLEs recalled at T2/Total NLEs endorsed during EMA week. High and low values ± 1 SD from grand means.