Rumination and depression status: reliability and validity of the Spanish Short Depressive Rumination Scale (SSDRS) in a sample of patients diagnosed with depression

Abstract Rumination is a transdiagnostic process within repetitive negative thinking that plays a significant role in depression etiology. This study aims to validate and assess the predictive value on depression status of the Spanish Short Depressive Rumination Scale (SSDRS) in a clinical sample. Participants ( N = 135) were diagnosed with depression at different disease status (acute episode − 60%-, partial remission − 17%-, total remission − 23%-). The questionnaires and methodology for this study was approved by a Research Committee of the Health Area (Ethics approval number: 05/2017CEIm). Each participant completed the following questionnaires: SSDRS, the Beck Depression Inventory Version II (BDI-II) and the Mini-Cambridge Exeter Repetitive Thought Scale (Mini-CERTS). To obtain data about the internal consistency and validity of this scale, confirmatory factor analysis, Cronbach’s alpha, regression analysis and convergent validity analysis with scientifically established measurements of repetitive thinking and depression were used. The internal consistency of the SSDRS found has been high (alpha = 0.90). SSDRS scores correlated with depression scores (r xy = 0.71) as well as unconstructive rumination scores (r xy = 0.56). SSDRS is a robust and reliable single-factor measure of depressive rumination, which has predictive value for depression in partial remission and, especially, for acute episodes of depression.