Understanding Post-traumatic Growth: The Role of Rumination in Young Adults Bereaved

Abstract

Background: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) refers to the positive psychological changes individuals experience following adversity. Rumination, a key factor influencing PTG, is categorized into intrusive rumination (unwanted, distressing thoughts) and deliberate rumination (purposeful reflection aimed at meaning-making). While intrusive rumination is linked to distress, deliberate rumination is associated with positive adaptation and growth. This study examines the role of both types of rumination in PTG among bereaved young adults in India. Method: The study comprised 106 young adults who had lost a first-, second, or third-degree relative or a close friend within the past six years. The sample consisted of 69.8% females (n= 74) and 28.3% males (n= 30), all Indian nationality. Participants completed the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory – Short Form (PTGI-SF) and the Event-Related Rumination Inventory (ERRI) to assess PTG and rumination. Results: Findings suggest that deliberate rumination significantly predicts PTG, supporting its role in cognitive processing and schema reconstruction. While intrusive rumination was initially associated with distress, it also showed a positive relationship with PTG, indicating that intrusive thoughts may eventually lead to deliberate reflection and meaning-making. Conclusion: The study highlights the dual role of rumination in PTG. While intrusive rumination contributes to distress, it may also facilitate cognitive processing that fosters growth. These findings suggest that interventions should focus on promoting deliberate rumination to enhance PTG in bereaved young adults.