Neuroticism and ruminative response style as predictors of change in depressive symptomatology

Several investigations have demonstrated that neuroticism and ruminative response style are associated with increased risk for depression. The current study examined the effects of neuroticism and ruminative response style on changes in depressive symptoms over an 8- to 10-week interval. Analyses indicated that the effects of neuroticism and ruminative response style were moderated by initial level of depressive symptomatology. Specifically, neuroticism and ruminative response style predicted changes in depressive symptoms more strongly in individuals who were initially higher in levels of depression than they did in those with lower initial levels of depressive symptoms These data were consistent with a path model in which ruminative response style mediated the effect of neuroticism on depression.