Does Trait Rumination Moderate the Path From Chronic Stress Adversity Exposure to Internalizing Symptoms in First-Generation and Continuing-Generation College Students?

First-generation college students face greater life adversity and demonstrate higher internalized distress versus their continuing-generation peers. In 598 undergraduate students, this study tests: links between life adversity and internalized distress, moderation by trait rumination, and whether effects differ for first-generation versus continuing-generation students. Four of six latent moderated structural equation models supported the hypothesis that trait rumination (the tendency to engage in negative, self-focused thought) moderates the effects of family and financial chronic stress to predict depression and anxiety. Effects were similar in first-generation and continuing-generation students. Implications include offering trait rumination interventions especially to those with high chronic stress.

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