A construct validation study of the response styles questionnaire rumination scale in participants with a recent-onset major depressive episode

This study examined the construct validity and clinical utility of S. Nolen -Hoeksema's (1991) Response Styles Questionnaire (RSQ) Rumination scale. Ei ghty-eight participants with recent-onset major depressive episodes, were a ssessed and followed for 6 months, using semistructured interviews and self -report inventories. The RSQ Rumination scale exhibited poor 6-month stabil ity and appeared to be closely linked to participants' clinical status-mood state, The-scale was significantly correlated with conceptually related co nstructs such as emotion-focused coping, negative affectivity-temperament, and self-criticism. However. baseline negative temperament and self-critici sm predicted key aspects of the 6-month course and outcome of major depress ive episodes. whereas baseline rumination did not. Finally, rumination appe ared to be closely associated with the severity of the depressive episode, rather than defining a distinct clinical subtype.