Broadening the Scope of Rumination: Towards an Interpersonal Approach

Rumination has been identified as an important transdiagnostic factor in psychopathology. Traditionally studied as an intrapersonal cognitive process, rumination significantly impacts and is impacted by people’s relationships. In the present article, we propose a dynamic interpersonal approach to studying rumination, asserting that it is best understood by considering the interpersonal context in which rumination occurs. We start by outlining the traditional approach to rumination, and then provide evidence for how interpersonal processes affect rumination and vice versa. After explaining our dynamic interpersonal model of rumination (DIM-Rum), we suggest implications and future directions that require expanding current methods and collaborations. By considering people’s (intimate) relationships in the study of rumination and vice versa -the role of rumination in people’s relationships- we can develop more effective clinical interventions to improve both mental health and relationship quality.