VALIDATION OF THE RUMINATIVE RESPONSES SCALE ON THE ROMANIAN POPULATION – GENDER DIFFERENCES IN RUMINATING RESPONSES

Abstract

Objectives. The objectives of the study were to develop the Romanian version of the RRS-22 Ruminative Response Scale, thus initiating the process of validating it and exploring gender differences in ruminative-depressive responses with the help of this instrument. Material and methods. The scale was translated by two English translators. The two variants were compared in order to preserve the semantic content of the items, and the Romanian version of the scale was finalized. Subsequently, the scale was applied to N = 372 participants. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed, and internal consistency, convergent validity, and divergent validity were assessed. Gender differences in ruminative-depressive responses were explored. Results. The criteria required to validate the RRS instrument for the Romanian population have been satisfied. The scales associated with the three latent factors showed satisfactory internal consistency. Its use revealed significant differences between women and men, in favor of women, both in terms of total rumination scores and in terms of the reflection and brooding factor scores. There were also highly significant differences between women and men regarding ruminative themes assessed by the RRS-22. Conclusions. The Romanian version of the RRS-22 scale proved to have good psychometric properties. Its application confirmed the results of international studies carried out with the help of this instrument, according to which there are important differences between women and men in the way of coping with a negative mood, expressed through ruminative responses. The tendency to engage in rumination in response to distress is much more pronounced in women.

Keywords

• rumination
• depression
• gender
• brooding
• reflection