Depressive rumination alters cortisol decline in Major Depressive Disorder.
Depressive rumination - a central characteristic of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) - is a maladaptive emotion regulation strategy that prolongs sad mood and depressive episodes. Considerable research demonstrates the emotional and behavioral consequences of depressive rumination, yet few studies investigate its effect on neuroendocrine functioning. The current study examined the effect of an emotion regulation manipulation on the trajectory of cortisol concentrations among individuals with MDD and healthy controls (CTL). Sadness was induced via forced failure. Participants then were randomly assigned to a depressive rumination or distraction emotion regulation induction. MDDs in the rumination condition exhibited less cortisol decline compared to MDDs in the distraction condition and compared to CTLs in either condition. Findings suggest that depressive rumination alters the trajectory of cortisol secretion in MDD and may prolong cortisol production. Results thereby provide important insights into the interaction of biological and psychological factors through which distress contributes to MDD.
Stanford University, 450 Serra Mall, Building 420, Stanford, CA 94305, United States. Electronic address: jlemoult@stanford.edu.
Joelle
J
LeMoult
Northwestern University, 2029 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-2710, United States.
Jutta
J
Joormann
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D019959:Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D006854:Hydrocortisone
Cortisol; Depression; Emotion regulation; Experimental; HPA axis; Rumination