Cited by 70Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesMindfulness and Compassion InterventionsTreatment of Major Depression

Do sex differences in rumination explain sex differences in depression?

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Shors, Tracey J., Millon, Emma M., Chang, Han Yan M., Olson, Ryan L., Alderman, Brandon L.·2017·Journal of Neuroscience Research

Abstract

It is generally accepted that women tend to ruminate more than men do and these thought patterns are often associated with depressive symptoms (Nolen‐Hoeksema et al., ). Based on these findings, we considered whether the relationship between rumination and depression is stronger in women than in men and if so, whether this might explain the higher prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) in women and finally, whether the association can be disrupted through a mind/body intervention. Adult men and women, most of whom were clinically depressed, participated in an intervention known as MAP Training, which combines “mental” training with silent meditation and “physical” training with aerobic exercise (Shors et al., ). After eight weeks of training, both men and women reported significantly fewer symptoms of depression and fewer ruminative thoughts (Alderman et al., ). Statistical correlations between depressive symptoms and ruminative thoughts were strong and significant (rho > 0.50; p < 0.05) for both men and women before and after MAP Training. However, only in women did depressive symptoms relate to “reflective” ruminations, which involve analyses of past events, feelings, and behaviors. This is also the only relationship that dissipated after the intervention. In general, these analyses suggest that the strength of the relationship between depressive symptoms and rumination does not necessarily explain sex differences in depression; but because the relationship is strong, targeting rumination through intervention can reduce the incidence of MDD, which is more prevalent among women. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Authors
Shors, T. J., Millon, E. M., Chang, H. Y. M., Olson, R. L., & Alderman, B. L.
Affiliations
  • Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (US)
  • University of North Texas (US)
Corresponding author
Shors, Tracey J.
Venue
Journal of Neuroscience Research
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2016-11-07
Volume
95
Issue
1-2
Pages
711-718
ISSN
  • 0360-4012 (ISSN-L)
  • 1097-4547
OpenAlex
W2551883194
Cited by
70
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 3
FWCI
0.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Rutgers University Community Repository (Rutgers University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
rumination, sex differences, depression, major depressive disorder, mind-body interventions, aerobic exercise, meditation, reflective rumination, ruminative thoughts
MeSH terms
Child, Depression, Female, Hippocampus, Humans, Male, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Sex Differentiation, Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood

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