Different effects of rumination on depression: key role of hope

BACKGROUND: Both rumination and hope have significant impacts on depression. However, few studies concern their trilateral relationship. This study examined the moderator effect of hope on the relationship between rumination on depression in Chinese university students. METHODS: 517 college students completed the measures of rumination, hope and depression. RESULTS: Hierarchical regression analysis showed that hope moderated the association between rumination and depression. When students reported a low level of hope, those with high rumination reported higher scores in depression than those with low rumination. However, in high hope group, the effect of rumination on depression became not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Hope can significantly moderate the effect of rumination on depression. The significance and limitations of the results are discussed.