The transdiagnostic role of rumination in the comorbidity of PTSD and depression

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are highly comorbid. Common factors that exist in both disorders could explain disorder co-occurrence. In the present study, we examined the role of rumination as a potential shared factor within PTSD and MDD in a sample of military personnel deployed in armed conflict areas. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted for PTSD and MDD separately and then controlling for rumination. Results indicated that a significant amount of variance between PTSD and depression, both at the item- and factor-level, could be explained by rumination. Findings indicate that rumination, as a transdiagnostic mechanism present in both PTSD and MDD, could account for disorder comorbidity.