Prospective impacts of co-rumination on depression, anxiety, and relationship satisfaction within adult romantic couples

Introduction: Co-rumination can significantly affect well-being yet remains understudied in adult romantic relationships. We aimed to examine how corumination in adult couples impacts two forms of emotional distress (anxiety and depression) and relationship satisfaction over a 15-20 week follow-up. We also investigated whether effects persisted when controlling important covariates (e.g., emotional stability) and explored gender differences. Methods: Longitudinal path analyses were used to analyze data from 960 romantic couples (M age = 38.3, SD = 6.77 years) recruited through Qualtrics Survey Panels and homeschooling groups. Couples completed two survey waves during Winter/Spring 2021. Each partner completed measures of co-rumination at baseline, and of depression, anxiety, relationship satisfaction, and emotional stability at baseline and follow-up. Results: Dyadic co-rumination predicted significant increases in both emotional distress measures, but not relationship satisfaction, at follow-up when controlling baseline levels. Effects persisted when controlling covariates. While co-rumination predicted significant increases in depression in women but not men, formal tests of gender moderation were non-significant. No evidence of gender differences was found for co-rumination predicting anxiety or relationship satisfaction. Discussion: Results suggest couples should be counseled to limit coruminative discussions to minimize emotional distress. Reducing adult couples’ co-rumination is unlikely to lessen relationship satisfaction.