“RUMINATION REDUCTION IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SELF-COMPASSION AND PROBLEM-SOLVING THERAPIES WITH GENDER AND AGE AS MODERATORS”

Abstract

This study determined the effects of self-compassion therapy (SCT) and problem solving therapy (PST) on ruminating behaviour among university students in Oyo state, Nigeria. The moderating effects of gender and age were also examined. Cognitive-emotional processing theory provided the framework, while the pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental design with a 3x2x3 factorial matrix was adopted. A sample of 66 students was selected using purposive sampling technique from three selected universities in Oyo state. The participants were randomly assigned to SCT (15), and PST (21) and control (30) groups. Participants in the SCT and PST groups were exposed to eight weeks training simultaneously, while those in the control group were given routine positive life living as placebo. Ruminating Behaviour Scale by Nolen-Hoeksema (1991) (? =.80) and Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire prepared by Bernstein et al (2017) (?=.86) were used to collect data. Analysis of Covariance and Scheffe Post-hoc test were used to analyse data at ? = 0.05 level of significance. There was significant main effect of treatment on ruminating behaviour among the participants (F(2, 47) = 3.114, partial ?2 = 0.54). The participants in SCT attained smallest ruminating behaviour mean score (44.27), followed by PST (= 44.71) and the control group ( = 53.80). There was a significant main effect of age on ruminating behaviour (F(2, 47) = 4.002, partial ?2 = 0.146). Participants who are young adults ( = 36.59) had smallest ruminating mean score than those who are middle and older adult groups ( = 45.19 and 55.53) respectively. Self-compassion and problem solving therapies were effective in the reduction of ruminating behaviour among university students in Oyo state, Nigeria, though the former was more effective. Age is a strong factor for consideration in ruminating behaviour. Counselling psychologists should utilize these therapies in reducing ruminating behaviour.   Keywords: Rumination Reduction, University Students, Comparative Study, Self-Compassion therapy, Problem-Solving therapy, Moderators