Rumination as a Transdiagnostic Phenomenon in the 21st Century: The Flow Model of Rumination

Abstract

<p>Rumination and its related mental phenomena share associated impairments in cognition, such as executive functions and attentional processes across different clinical conditions (e.g., inpsychotic disorders). In recent decades, however, the notion of rumination has been increasingly narrowed to the “self-focused” type in depressive disorders. A closer review of the literature showsthat rumination may be construed as a broader process characterized by repetitive thoughts aboutcertain mental contents that interfere with one’s daily activities, not only limited to those related to “self”. A further examination of the construct of rumination beyond the narrowly focused depressive rumination would help expand intervention opportunities for mental disorders in today’s context. Wefirst review the development of the clinical construct of rumination with regard to its historical rootsand its roles in psychopathology. This builds the foundation for the introduction of the “Flow Modelof Rumination (FMR)”, which conceptualizes rumination as a disruption of a smooth flow of mentalcontents in conscious experience that depends on the coordinated interactions between intention,memory, affect, and external events. The conceptual review concludes with a discussion of the impactof rapid technological advances (such as smartphones) on rumination. Particularly in contemporary societies today, a broader consideration of rumination not only from a cognition viewpoint, but also incorporating a human–device interaction perspective, is necessitated.The implications of the FMR in contemporary mental health practice are discussed. </p>