Rumination

Several types of stress factors are likely to be implied in the development, maintenance, and transmission of rumination: genetic/temperamental factors, cognitive factors, family factors, and societal/cultural factors. The current chapter focuses on the etiological factors involved in the development of a ruminative thinking style in childhood. In the first part of the chapter, the most important studies on the topic are reviewed in detail, illustrating differences in genetic and neurobiological correlates, as well as environmental risk factors. A discussion on the role of rumination in the development and/or maintenance of psychopathological symptomatology is also proposed, especially focusing on internalizing and externalizing manifestations. The last part of the chapter reviews studies investigating the metacognitive factors as possible pathways of the relation between rumination and childhood symptoms, suggesting prevention and intervention techniques for parents, mental-health professionals and policymakers.