Abstract
The present study examined the effects of an intervention focused on actively controlling aspects of depressive rumination. Dysphoric and high ruminative undergraduate students were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n=12) or a control group (n=11). The experimental group received two weeks of training focused on disconfirming positive beliefs about depressive rumination and weakening plans and goals which are assumed to contribute to the perseveration of rumination. The experimental group showed significantly decreased frequency of depressive rumination and decreased endorsement of beliefs that rumination increases insight into oneself and situations. In addition, changes in depressive rumination were related to disconfirmation of those beliefs. These results could lead to refinement of techniques for changing depressive rumination. They also were consistent with the model that high ruminative individuals select rumination as a coping strategy. This implication contributes to a better understanding of perseverative depressive rumination.
