The Mediating Role of Negative Spontaneous Thoughts in the Relationship Between Rumination, Time Attitudes, and Depression Among the Elderly
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of negative spontaneous thoughts in the relationship between rumination, time attitudes (positive past, negative past, and past acceptance), and depression among elderly individuals residing in care centers in Tehran.
Methods and Materials: A descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional design was used. A total of 114 elderly participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected from validated questionnaires measuring rumination, negative spontaneous thoughts, depression, and time attitudes. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was conducted using JASP (v0.18.1), and SPSS (v27) was used for descriptive statistics. Model fit was assessed through SRMR, NFI, and Q² indices.
Findings: Rumination and negative past significantly predicted depression, both directly and indirectly via negative spontaneous thoughts (β = 0.026, p < 0.001; β = 0.030, p = 0.026). In contrast, positive past and past acceptance showed significant negative associations with depression. Only individual incompatibility and helplessness components of negative thoughts significantly contributed to depression. The structural model explained 76% of the variance in depression (R² = 0.760), indicating a strong explanatory power. Model fit indices confirmed the adequacy of the model (SRMR = 0.069; NFI = 0.796; Q² > 0).
Conclusion: Addressing rumination and negative spontaneous thoughts while enhancing positive past reflection and past acceptance can effectively reduce depression in the elderly. These findings suggest the need for cognitive-emotional interventions tailored to age-specific cognitive vulnerabilities.
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