Negative Event Recall as a Vulnerability for Depression: Relationship Between Momentary Stress-Reactive Rumination and Memory for Daily Life Stress

The current research utilized ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology to test the hypotheses that (a) engaging in greater rumination following stress (stress-reactive rumination, SRR) would lead to improved stressor recall and (b) this improved memory for stress would predict increases in depressive symptoms. One hundred and twenty-one participants received smartphone alerts in which they reported on their experience of negative life events (NLEs) as well as SRR and depressed mood after event occurrence. NLEs followed by increased SRR were more likely to be recalled 2 weeks later. Furthermore, individuals who endorsed and recalled more stressors displayed increased depressive symptoms. Contrary to hypotheses, no evidence was found for a mediational effect in which SRR predicted depressive symptoms and was mediated by memory for NLEs. Current findings demonstrate a relationship between rumination following stress and the subsequent recall of those stressors and support the role of negative event recall as a vulnerability factor for depression.