Date of Graduation

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Psychological Science

Advisor/Mentor

Makhanova, Anastasia

Committee Member

Judah, Matt

Second Committee Member

Joffe Minor, Tacy

Third Committee Member

Gruenewald, Jeff

Abstract

Rumination, a cycle of repetitive dwelling on negative feelings and distress, is associated with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Although there is a substantial body of research on rumination and its association with depression and anxiety in women, there is a lack of studies specifically examining the role of hormonal fluctuation in this process. Changes in the menstrual cycle linked to estrogen and progesterone have been associated with mood regulation and susceptibility to depression, yet the impact of hormonal contraceptives (HCs) on rumination remains unexplored. The current study examined the role of HCs on rumination by comparing women starting the use of HCs with naturally cycling (NC) women in their follicular phase, both groups taking two online surveys spaced 2-3 months apart. I hypothesized that changes in rumination from Time 1 to Time 2 would differ between women starting hormonal contraceptives and naturally cycling women, due to the hormonal and emotional alterations associated with HC use. Additionally, I explored whether changes in rumination differed by type of HC used. Results showed that rumination changes differed by group, specifically between Nexplanon users and IUD users in the reflection subscale. Nexplanon users also showed consistently higher levels of brooding and depression-related rumination in comparison to other groups. Findings indicate that type of HC may affect levels of rumination.

Keywords

hormonal contraceptives; rumination

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