Social support and sense of belonging as protective factors in the rumination-depressive symptoms relation among Australian women.

This study examined the applicability of the compensatory, risk-protective, and protective-protective models of resiliency to explain the association of depressive symptoms (outcome factor) with rumination (potential risk factor) and social support and sense of belonging (protective factors). A community sample of 179 Australian women between the ages of 18-64 participated. Results supported the compensatory models for both protective factors. Results did not support the risk-protective or protective-protective models. The results of this study indicate that interventions aimed at reducing depressive symptoms among women who ruminate should be focused on increasing either protective factor, and that little value is accrued in attempting to increase both protective factors.