Is there an association between rumination and self-reported physical health? A one-year follow-up in a young and an elderly sample.
Cross-sectional studies have suggested an association between rumination and subjective health. The aim of the present study was to investigate in a longitudinal design whether rumination was related to self-reported physical health. A total of 96 young (age range 20-35) and 110 elderly (age range 70-85) participants completed questionnaires measuring rumination, negative affect, life events, and self-reported physical health at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Multiple linear regressions showed a significant association between self-reported physical health at time I only for the elderly and negative affect mediated the association. At follow-up, rumination was significantly associated with self-reported physical health only for the young and the association was only partly mediated by negative affect. In conclusion, rumination is associated with poorer self-reported physical health, but the association depends on the age of the individual as well as time span studied.
Thomsen
Dorthe Kirkegaard
DK
Psychooncology Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. dorthet@psy.au.dk
Mehlsen
Mimi Yung
MY
Olesen
Frede
F
Hokland
Marianne
M
Viidik
Andrus
A
Avlund
Kirsten
K
Zachariae
Robert
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires