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'Girl talk' may up anxiety, depression risk

« H E » email
posted Monday, 16 July 2007

New research shows that excessive discussion of problems may have a negative effect on emotional adjustment in girls

A researcher at the University of Missouri-Columbia has found that girls who talk very extensively about their problems with friends are likely to become more anxious and depressed.

The research was conducted by Amanda Rose, associate professor of psychological sciences in the College of Arts and Science. The six-month study, which included boys and girls, examined the effects of co-rumination - excessively talking with friends about problems and concerns. Rose discovered that girls co-ruminate more than boys, especially in adolescence, and that girls who co-ruminated the most in the fall of the school year were most likely to be more depressed and anxious by the spring.

"When girls co-ruminate, they're spending such a high percentage of their time dwelling on problems and concerns that it probably makes them feel sad and more hopeless about the problems because those problems are in the forefront of their minds. Those are symptoms of depression," Rose said.

"In terms of anxiety, co-ruminating likely makes them feel more worried about the problems, including about their consequences. Having anxiety symptoms (and presumably, associated heightened levels of worries and concerns) and a high-quality friend to talk to may provide a uniquely reinforcing context for co-rumination, she continued.

"Co-rumination also may lead to depression and anxiety because it takes so much time - time that could be used to engage in other, more positive activities that could help distract youth from their problems. This is especially true for problems that girls can't control, such as whether a particular boy likes them, or whether they get invited to a party that all of the popular kids are attending."

The study involved 813 third, fifth, seventh and ninth grade students. The participants answered questionnaires that assessed co-rumination, depression, anxiety and the quality of their best friendship in the fall and spring of the school year.

Ironically, although co-rumination was related to increased depression and anxiety, Rose also found that co-rumination was associated with positive friendship quality, including feelings of closeness between friends. Boys who co-ruminated also developed closer friendships across the school year but did not develop greater depressive and anxiety symptoms over time.

"For years, we have encouraged kids to find friends who they can talk to about their problems, and with whom they can give and receive social support," Rose said. "In general, talking about problems and getting social support is linked with being healthy. What's intriguing about theses findings is that co-rumination likely represents too much of a good thing. Some kids, especially girls, are taking talking about problems to an extreme. When that happens, the balance tips, and talking about problems with friends can become emotionally unhealthy."

Rose said adolescents should be encouraged to talk about their problems, but only in moderation and without co-ruminating.

"They also should engage in other activities, like sports, which can help them take their minds off their problems, especially problems that they can't control," she said.

The research cautions parents and adults against being lulled into a false sense of security about youth, especially girls, with seemingly supportive friendships. While other studies indicate that adults should worry about socially isolated youth, this research raises the issue that youth in seemingly supportive friendships may also be at risk for depression and anxiety if the friendship is based on a pattern of co-rumination.


Rose AJ, Carlson W, Waller EM.  Prospective associations of co-rumination with friendship and emotional adjustment: Considering the socioemotional trade-offs of co-rumination. Dev Psychol. 2007 Jul;43(4):1019-31.  [Abstract | Full text (PDF format)]

tags: anxiety disorders  clinical depression  

links: digg this    del.icio.us    technorati    reddit




1. Steven Diamond left...
Monday, 16 July 2007 10:43 pm :: http://attackanxiety.blogspot.com/

What a powerful article! Education is the key to help anyone over come their fears, panic and anxiety. I should know. I was a 30+ year sufferer. Today I help educate people around the world on how they can control and manage their stress and anxiety. Well written, informative articles such as this one are helping thousands to truly understand how they can cope. I have a website http://www.attackanxiety.com that is designed to teach people proven methods they can use to live in peace by learning to control and manage their panic, rage, anger, depression , anxiety and stress. Education is the key. Education will set you free. Keep up the great writing. I will look for more articles in the near future. Thanks, Steven Diamond Founder of AttackAnxiety.Com