中華心理衛生協會

 Purpose: Research investigating the relationship between reflective pondering (RP) and depression has produced conflicting results. We propose that the type of coping utilized and the frequent co-occurrence of RP and brooding may account for these contradictory findings. Our longitudinal study extends previous work by including brooding and different types of coping. We hypothesized that RP is adaptive with approach coping, but maladaptive with avoidant coping. Brooding may interfere with problem solving. Thus, we also expect that brooding corresponds to increased avoidant coping and decreased approach coping, resulting in increased depressive symptoms. Methods: Breast cancer survivors (N = 304) were assessed longitudinally at 3 months and 6 months after surgery. Participants completed surveys assessing RP, brooding, approach and avoidant coping, and depressive symptoms. Results: We used structural equation modeling to assess the proposed mediation model. The data fit the model well. RP predicted reduced depressive symptoms through the use of approach coping, and increased depressive symptoms through the use of avoidant coping. Brooding predicted greater depressive symptoms through the pathway of avoidant coping. Conclusion: The current study fills gaps in the literature by demonstrating that, independent of brooding, RP differentially influences depressive symptoms through the pathways of approach and avoidant coping.