Welcome to Francis Academic Press

Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 2024, 7(2); doi: 10.25236/AJHSS.2024.070224.

Understanding Rumination Thinking from the Perspectives of Psychological Control Source and Personality Traits

Author(s)

Wang Hui1, Wang Haiqing2, Wang Qiu3

Corresponding Author:
Wang Hui
Affiliation(s)

1College of Humanities and Social Sciences, City University of Macau, Macau, China

2College of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, China

3College of Economic and Management, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, China

Abstract

This study primarily explores the relationship between rumination thinking in high school students and their personality traits and psychological control sources. Utilizing a questionnaire survey method, we randomly distributed surveys to 557 high school students who completed the Rumination Thinking Response Scale, Internal Control, Authority and Opportunity Scale, and China's Big Five Personality Questionnaire. The results revealed significant differences in rumination and its dimensions concerning gender, only-child status, and grade (ps < 0.01). Rumination showed a significant positive correlation with the big five personality, neuroticism, and conscientiousness (ps < 0.01). Additionally, rumination was significantly correlated with psychological control sources, internal control, authority, and opportunity (ps < 0.01). Through a mediation effect test, the mediating effect value of psychological control sources between the big five personality and rumination was found to be 0.048, accounting for 33.80% of the total effect, thus indicating that psychological control sources played a partial mediating role. The study suggests that there are individual differences in rumination thinking among high school students. Schools and parents may consider influencing students' rumination from the perspectives of personality and psychological control sources to enhance positive thinking and contribute to addressing and improving students' psychological well-being.

Keywords

Rumination thinking, Big Five personality, Psychological control sources, High school students

Cite This Paper

Wang Hui, Wang Haiqing, Wang Qiu. Understanding Rumination Thinking from the Perspectives of Psychological Control Source and Personality Traits. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2024) Vol. 7, Issue 2: 176-184. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2024.070224.

References

[1] Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Morrow. Responses to depression and their effects on the duration of depressive episodes[J]. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1991, 100(4),569-582.

[2] Martin, L. L., & Tesser, A. Some ruminative thoughts[J]. Advances in social cognition,1996,9, 1-47.

[3] Gawron, L., & Gerlach, A. L. Linking Depression with Negative Alcohol-Related Consequences: A Structural Equation Model Among a Clinically Depressed Population[J]. Substance Use &amp; Misuse, 2022, 57(10), 1587–1598. 

[4] Rostami, S., Borjali, A., & Eskandari, H.et al. Slow and Powerless Thought Dynamic Relates to Brooding in Unipolar and Bipolar Depression[J]. Psychopathology, 2022,55(5), 258–272. 

[5] Philippot, P., Verschuren, A., & Douilliez, C. Transdiagnostic Processes in Depression and Anxiety: Assessing Differentiated Cognitive Modes in Repetitive Thinking[J]. International Journal of Cognitive Therapy, 2023, 16(4), 539–570.

[6] McCrae, R.R. & Costa, P.T. Personality Trait Structure as a Human Universal[J]. American Psychologist, 1997, 52,509-516.

[7] Furnham, A., & Cheng, H. The big-five personality factors, mental health, and social-demographic indicators as independent predictors of gratification delay. Personality and Individual Differences [J], 2019,150, 109533.

[8] Liu, A., Yu, Y., & Sun, S. How is the Big Five related to college students’ anxiety: The role of rumination and resilience[J]. Personality and Individual Differences, 2023,200, 111901. 

[9] Roelofs, J., Huibers, M., & Peeters, F.et al. Effects of neuroticism on depression and anxiety: rumination as a possible mediator[J]. Personality & Individual Differences, 2008,44(3),576-586.

[10] Miranda, D. Neuroticism, musical emotion regulation, and mental health[J]. Psych musicology Music, Mind, and Brain, 2021,31(2), 59–73.

[11] Rotter, J. B. Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement[J]. Psychol Monogr, 1966,80(1),1-28.

[12] Levenson, H. 2-differentiating among internality, powerful others, and chance[J]. Research with the Locus of Control Construct, 1981, 15-63.

[13] Sumantri, M. A., Zahrani, Z., & Aniyah, H. R.et al. The COVID-19 Pandemic: Role of Coping Humor and Internal Health Locus of Control on Social Dysfunction and Anxiety &amp; Depression[J]. Keemas: National Public Health Journal, 2021,16(4). 

[14] Iles-Caven, Y., Gregory, S., & Northstone, K.et al. The beneficial role of personality in preserving well-being during the pandemic: A longitudinal population study[J]. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2023,331, 229–237. 

[15] Barrio-Martínez, S., Cano-Vindel, A., & Priede, A.et al. Worry, rumination and negative metacognitive beliefs as moderators of outcomes of Transdiagnostic group cognitive-behavioral therapy in emotional disorders[J]. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2023,338, 349–357. 

[16] Gil, T. C., Obando, D., & García-Martín, M. B.et al. Perfectionism, Academic Stress, Rumination and Worry: A Predictive Model for Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in University Students from Colombia [J]. Emerging Adulthood, 2023,11(5), 1091–1105.

[17] Chen Yating. Research on the Relationship between Stock owners' Luck Belief, Attribution Style and Personality Traits [C]. East China Normal University, 2017.

[18] Lima, M. P., Moret‐Tatay, C., & Irigaray, T. Q. Locus of control, personality and depression symptoms in cancer: Testing a moderated mediation model[J]. Clinical Psychology &amp; Psychotherapy, 2021,29(2), 489–500. 

[19] Han Xiu & Yang Hongfei. A trial of Nolen-Hoeksema Rumination Scale in China[J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology,2009, (05),550-551+549.

[20] Wang Mengcheng, Dai Xiaoyang & Yao Shuqiao. Preliminary preparation of China's Big Five Personality Questionnaire III: Development of simplified version and test of reliability and validity [J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology,2011,19(4), 454-457.

[21] Zhou Hao & Long Lirong. Statistical test and control method of common method deviation[J]. Progress in Psychology. 2004, 1(6), 942-950.

[22] Lilly, K. J., Howard, C., & Zubielevitch, E.et al. Thinking twice: examining gender differences in repetitive negative thinking across the adult lifespan[J]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2023,14. 

[23] Chen Jin. The impact of family functions on sense of meaning in life: the chain mediating role of rumination and security[C]. Sichuan Normal University,2022.

[24] Zhang Jing. Study on the relationship between negative stressful events, rumination, and sense of hope in high school students: the moderating role of gender[C]. Harbin Normal University,2022.

[25] Lyon, K. A., Elliott, R., & Brown, L. J.et al. Complex mediating effects of rumination facets between personality traits and depressive symptoms[J]. International Journal of Psychology,2020,56(5), 721–728. 

[26] Cao Jina. A study on the relationship between the source of control and self-reflection in college students[C]. Chongqing University,2010.

[27] Lin, Y.-C., O’Connell, K. L., & Law, K. C. Moderating roles of grit and locus of control on rumination and suicidality[J]. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2023,330, 250–258. 

[28] Filipiak, S., & Lubyanka, B. On the Rocky Road to Independence: Big Five Personality Traits and Locus of Control in Polish Primary School Students during Transition into Early Adolescence[J]. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, 18(9), 4564. 

[29] Mercer, D. A., Ditto, B., & Lavoie, K. L.et al. Health locus of control is associated with physical activity and other health behaviors in cardiac patients[J]. Journal of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and prevention, 2018, 38(6), 394-399.