KMAN Publication Inc. (KMANPUB) Journal of Assessment and Research in Applied Counseling (JARAC) 7 Serial Number 26 2025 07 01 Rumination as a Mediator Between Peer Rejection and Depressive Symptoms in Teens Rumination as a Mediator Between Peer Rejection and Depressive Symptoms in Teens 1 9 10.61838/kman.jarac.7.3.16 EN Journal Article 2025 01 08 <table> <tbody> <tr> <td> <p><strong>Objective:</strong> This study aimed to examine whether rumination mediates the relationship between peer rejection and depressive symptoms in adolescents.</p> <p><strong>Methods and Materials: </strong>A descriptive correlational design was employed with a sample of 380 adolescents aged 13 to 18 from secondary schools in London. The sample size was determined based on the Morgan and Krejcie sample size table to ensure statistical power. Standardized self-report instruments were used to assess peer rejection, rumination, and depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients in SPSS-27 and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in AMOS-21 to test the hypothesized mediation model. Model fit was assessed using χ²/df, CFI, GFI, AGFI, TLI, and RMSEA.</p> <p><strong>Findings: </strong>Descriptive statistics indicated moderate levels of depressive symptoms (M = 22.84, SD = 6.73), rumination (M = 30.42, SD = 5.26), and peer rejection (M = 18.67, SD = 4.89). Pearson correlation results revealed significant positive correlations between depressive symptoms and both rumination (r = .54, p < .001) and peer rejection (r = .46, p < .001). Rumination was also positively correlated with peer rejection (r = .39, p < .001). SEM showed good model fit (χ² = 104.23, df = 48, χ²/df = 2.17, CFI = .97, RMSEA = .056), and confirmed that rumination significantly mediated the relationship between peer rejection and depressive symptoms (indirect effect: b = 0.23, β = .17, p < .001). The total effect of peer rejection on depressive symptoms was b = 0.54, β = .45, p < .001.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings suggest that rumination plays a significant mediating role in the association between peer rejection and depressive symptoms in adolescents. Interventions aimed at reducing ruminative thought patterns may mitigate the impact of peer-related stressors on adolescent mental health.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

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