Medical and Health Journal
Vol 5 No 2 (2026): February

The Role of Rumination in University Students’ Mental Health: A Mediation Analysis of Depression and Anxiety

Maghfiroh, Nisaul (Unknown)
Oktavilia, Ernasiwi Astri (Unknown)
Hidayah, Arfi Nurul (Unknown)
Kamal, Isran (Unknown)
Mardihusodo, Hajid Rahmadianto (Unknown)
Syamsu Hidayat, Muhammad Zaenuri (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
23 Feb 2026

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between rumination and mental health among university students by testing the mediating roles of depression and anxiety. Rumination refers to a repetitive and passive focus on negative experiences and emotions that may influence psychological functioning. A quantitative correlational design was employed. A total of 113 students completed the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Parallel mediation analysis indicated that rumination significantly predicted depression (β = .6197, p < .001) and anxiety (β = .5830, p < .001). Depression significantly predicted mental health (β = .2893, p = .025), whereas anxiety was not a significant predictor (β = .1186, p = .343). The direct effect of rumination on mental health was not significant (β = −.0940, p = .427), nor was the total effect (β = .1544, p = .098). However, the indirect effect through depression was significant (β = .1793, p = .031; 95% CI [.00464, .0957]), whereas the indirect path through anxiety was not significant (β = .0692, p = .347). These findings indicate that depression fully mediates the relationship between rumination and mental health. Thus, the influence of rumination on students’ mental health primarily operates through increased depressive symptoms.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

mhj

Publisher

Subject

Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Medical and Health Journal (EISSN. 2807-3541) is containing various articles/ manuscripts in the forms of research article, systematic reviews, case reports in the field of medicine focusing on basic medicine, clinical medicine, biomedical sciences, medical biotechnology, and public health. This ...