Less Thinking, More doing: Rumination and Avoidant ProblemSolving Increase Risk of Depression in Response to Cyber Victimization

Abstract

Cyber victimization (CV) is a prevalent and harmful stressor for college students that increases risk for depression. However, little is known about how CV leads to depression in this population. To investigate potential mechanisms of this relationship, the present study examined the intermediary roles of two established predictors of depression: rumination and maladaptive social problem-solving styles. Undergraduates (n = 410) self-reported CV, rumination, social problem-solving styles, and depression. CV exposure was associated with more rumination and depression, and rumination mediated the relationship between CV and depression. Avoidant Style, characterized by procrastination or avoidance of problems, but not Impulsive Carelessness Style, characterized by hurried, often tactless, attempts to solve problems, moderated the relationship between rumination and depression in this sample. The results support that rumination mediates CV and depression and demonstrate the moderating role of avoidant behaviors in explaining how rumination leads to depression. Future research should investigate how targeting rumination and avoidance can help prevent individuals who experience CV from developing depression.