Daily Associations Between Depressive Rumination and Symptoms in Adolescents: The Role of Self-Efficacy about Sadness Regulation

Introduction:Adolescence is a critical period for emotional development. Difficulties in regulating negative emotions contribute to depressive symptoms (Maciejewski et al. 2017). Depression is estimated to occur among 5% of adolescents (WHO, 2024). Depressive rumination intensifies sadness and exacerbates depressive symptoms (Nolen-Hoeksema et al., 2008). Additionally, poor self-efficacy in regulating negative emotions has been linked to increased emotional distress (Bandura et al., 2003; Caprara et al., 2008, 2010; Di Giunta et al., 2017, 2018, 2020). There is limited understanding of how these mechanisms interact in daily life. Investigating these processes dynamically can provide insights for interventions targeting maladaptive cognitive-emotional patterns in daily life. This study examines how self-efficacy in sadness regulation moderates and mediates the daily associations between rumination and depressive symptoms. Method:Participants were 80 italian clinical adolescents (Mage = 14.97, SD = 2.27; 44% girls) in treatment for anxiety-depressive disorders, learning difficulties, or conduct problems. Using the Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA), participants reported their depressive rumination, self-efficacy about sadness regulation, and depressive symptoms for 15 days. Results:Preliminary Multilevel Modeling (MLM) analyses suggest that on days when adolescents engaged in higher-than-usual depressive rumination, they also reported increased depressive symptoms. Self-efficacy about sadness regulation moderated and mediated these associations. The intraclass correlation (ICC; r=0.46; p<0.01) indicates that approximately 54% of the variability in depressive symptoms existed at the within-person level. Depressive rumination was positively associated with depressive symptoms, while self-efficacy was negatively associated. The interaction was significant, supporting a moderating effect. Mediation analysis showed that higher daily rumination was linked to lower self-efficacy, which in turn predicted depressive symptoms. Discussion:These findings highlight the importance of assessment of cognitive-emotional processes in adolescents’ daily lives. Interventions that focus on self-efficacy in sadness regulation could help break the cycle of rumination and depressive symptoms, offering a strategy for improving mental health outcomes.