(PS11-82) Loneliness, Peer Victimization, and Rumination in Late Childhood and Early Adolescence

Rumination, or repetitive thinking about the causes and consequences of distress or negative mood, has been identified as a cognitive vulnerability factor for internalizing psychopathology. It is important to understand the underlying factors associated with rumination, particularly in developmental contexts, and how these factors may contribute to maintenance or exacerbation of rumination across development. Previous studies have found cross-sectional associations between rumination and interpersonal stress, such as peer victimization, and feelings of loneliness, in youth. However, there is much less known about how these experiences might shape the trajectory of rumination across development. The current study examined the impact of loneliness and peer victimization on the trajectory of rumination in late childhood and early adolescence using growth curve models. Data came from the Temple Adolescent Development Study and the sample consisted of 205 youth aged 9- to 13-years, assessed at 5 timepoints across 36 months at 9-month intervals. Loneliness was assessed using the UCLA Loneliness Scale, peer victimization was assessed using the Prinstein Peer Experiences Questionnaire, and rumination was assessed using the Children’s Response Style Questionnaire’s rumination subscale. Results demonstrated significant main effects of loneliness and peer victimization on rumination (b = 2.04, SE = .66, p = .002; b = 3.02, SE = .64, p < .001, respectively), such that greater loneliness and peer victimization at baseline were associated with greater rumination. However, neither loneliness nor peer victimization were associated with changes in rumination over time (b = -.64, SE = .34, p = .063; b = -.58, SE = .36, p = .111, respectively). This suggests that early experiences of loneliness and peer victimization were associated with higher levels of rumination, which continued through the duration of the study. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the implications of peer victimization and loneliness, and other factors on the longitudinal trajectory of rumination. An increased understanding of factors that influence the trajectory of rumination can help inform targeted and preventative interventions for youth.