The predictive role of depression on life satisfaction: The mediating role of repetitive negative thinking, and brooding and reflection ruminative responses

Individuals with depressive symptoms often have their life satisfaction impaired. Repetitive Negative Thinking (RNT) and Ruminative Responses have been researched as core features of depression. RNT is conceptualized as a transdiagnostic process for emotional disorders, whereas rumination, including brooding and reflection, constitutes a key dimension of clinical presentation of depression. Both RNT and Ruminative Responses are negatively associated with life satisfaction. Thus, the current study intends to investigate the role of RNT and Ruminative Responses, brooding and reflection, as mediator variables in the predictive model of depressive symptoms on life satisfaction. An online sample of 432 Portuguese adults was collected and the Portuguese versions of the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21, the Persistent and Intrusive Negative Thoughts Scale, and the Ruminative Response Scale-10 were completed. Results revealed a mediation model explaining 31% of the variance in life satisfaction, with RNT emerging as the only statistically significant mediator, with a moderate to large effect, mediating 55% of the total effect of depressive symptoms on life satisfaction. In sum, current results enhance the role of RNT, when compared to Ruminative Responses, particularly brooding and reflexive, as a mediator between depressive symptoms and life satisfaction, supporting the theorization of broader transdiagnostic processes in the assessment, conceptualization, and intervention for emotional disorders, and life satisfaction enhancing.