RESEARCH_FILE
Susan Nolen-Hoeksema
Yale University
Known for:Response styles theory — showing that ruminating on low mood prolongs and deepens it
SEE THE PRACTICE
Turn a thought this research explains into one clear move.
THE THOUGHT
“If we're not sharing problems, we're not close”
YOUR RECORDED RESPONSE
“We can be close without staying in the problem the whole night.”
ONE PRIVATE MOVE
On a scrap of paper or in your notes app, write the last problem you rehashed and draw one line under it. Under the line, add one ordinary thing you could talk about next time, like food, plans, or a show. Keep it private and closed.
Key findings
- 1991
People's characteristic responses to depressed mood shape its course: those who ruminate — passively and repetitively focusing on their symptoms and their possible causes and consequences — experience longer and more severe episodes of depressed mood than those who distract themselves or take action. Responses to Depression and Their Effects on the Duration of Depressive Episodes ↗
- 2008
Two decades of evidence, reviewed in 'Rethinking Rumination', show rumination predicts the onset of depression, enhances negative thinking, impairs problem solving and instrumental behavior, and erodes social support — even though ruminators believe the dwelling gives them insight. Rethinking Rumination ↗