The effectiveness of mindfulness on rumination and cognitive regulation of emotion in students with depressive symptoms

Abstract

Background. Having problems in regulating the emotions is considered as the main core of depression disorder and rumination is one of the cognitive components in individuals with depression disorder. The objective of this study was to consider the effect of mindfulness training on rumination and cognitive regulation of emotion in students with depressive symptoms. Methods. This study was a semi-experimental method with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included all 350 students of the Faculty of Nursing of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2023-2022, among whom the Beck Depression Questionnaire was administered. Among them, 30 students with symptoms of depression (15 as experimental and 15 as control) were selected by purposive sampling method. The emotion regulation scale and rumination questionnaire were used to collect data. Results. The findings showed a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of rumination and cognitive regulation of emotion (P<0.001). The mean of rumination in the experimental group was significantly reduced compared to the pre-test and the control group, and the mean of the cognitive regulation of emotion was significantly increased. Conclusion. The results of the research showed that mindfulness training has an effect on rumination and cognitive regulation of emotion in students with depressive symptoms. Practical Implications. The results of the present study can be used to prevent and treat people with symptoms of depression, especially students.