Reconceptualizing co-rumination: A novel theoretical and multidisciplinary perspective.

Abstract

Co-rumination is a social emotion regulation strategy characterized by extensive and exhaustive discussions of stressors, problems, and negative emotions with another person. While research establishing the costs and benefits associated with co-rumination has been formative, the focus on explaining heightened internalizing symptoms and increased relationship quality (i.e., the "tradeoff hypothesis") in mostly adolescent friendships needs to be expanded. Through a social psychological lens, we pave a way forward by offering a new theoretical conceptualization of co-rumination that emphasizes the need to (a) explicitly consider the dyadic or social nature of co-rumination, (b) examine the heterogeneous content of co-ruminative discussions that extends beyond individual-level stressors, (c) assess the goals of co-ruminative conversations, and (d) consider with whom people co-ruminate. We then connect this theory of co-rumination to influential theories and concepts across psychological subdisciplines to show how this conceptualization of co-rumination can be further advanced when studied through a multidisciplinary perspective. This novel theoretical reconceptualization and multidisciplinary application advances beyond the tradeoff hypothesis by calling on researchers to consider the nuances of co-rumination across diverse populations and contexts. Reorienting co-rumination as such may prove fruitful to better understand difficult and upsetting conversations with close others, ultimately improving recommendations for how individuals seek and provide support through challenging times. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).