Purposeful rumination on childhood trauma and post-traumatic growth among college students: A moderated mediation model

Abstract

This study explored the role of cognitive reappraisal and perceived social support in the relationship between purposeful rumination and post-traumatic growth among college students who experienced childhood trauma. A total of 811 college students with childhood trauma exposure (female = 483; mean age = 19.03 years, SD = 1.35 years) completed the Traumatic Events Life Experiences Questionnaire-Student Version, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Purposeful Rumination Scale, the Chinese Version of the Emotion Regulation Strategy Scale, and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory. Moderated mediation analysis showed that cognitive reappraisal mediated the relationship between purposeful rumination and post-traumatic growth among college students. Perceived social support moderated the relationship between purposeful rumination and post-traumatic growth and moderated the relationship between purposeful rumination and cognitive reappraisal for higher post-traumatic growth. These research findings contribute to the evidence that post-traumatic growth can be modified by social support and reappraisal interventions.