RESEARCH_FILE
Jennifer Byrd-Craven
Oklahoma State University
Known for:Taking co-rumination into the lab — measuring its hormonal stress signature
SEE THE PRACTICE
Turn a thought this research explains into one clear move.
THE THOUGHT
“We just need to talk it through one more time”
YOUR RECORDED RESPONSE
“One full lap, then one small move.”
ONE PRIVATE MOVE
Open a blank note and write the problem in one sentence. Under it, list exactly two things already discussed and one small action you could do privately in the next 10 minutes, then stop.
Key findings
- 2008
When young women were experimentally led to co-ruminate about a problem, observed co-rumination was associated with a significant increase in cortisol — controlling for self-reported co-rumination and pre-discussion levels — suggesting co-ruminating can amplify the hormonal stress response to life stressors rather than discharge it. Co-ruminating increases stress hormone levels in women ↗
- 2011
In young women's friendships, it was the focus on negative affect during problem talk in particular that predicted increases in stress markers — cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase — suggesting co-rumination has separable adaptive and maladaptive components. Stress reactivity to co-rumination in young women's friendships: Cortisol, alpha-amylase, and negative affect focus ↗