Co‐rumination between friends: Considering the roles of outcome expectations, relationship provisions, and perceptions of problems

Despite its implications for adjustment, little is known about factors that support co‐rumination in friendships. The current multi‐method, longitudinal study addressed this question with 554 adolescents (Mage = 14.50; 52% girls; 62% White; 31% Black; 7% Asian American) from the Midwestern United States in 2007–2010. Adolescents were observed talking about problems with a friend and reported on their outcome expectations for problem disclosures, relationship provisions during problem talk, and problem perceptions after problem talk. Participants reported on outcome expectations again 9 months later. Results indicate that the positive relationship provisions associated with co‐rumination may outweigh negative problem perceptions in predicting adolescents' outcome expectations for problem disclosures over time. Implications for the potentially reinforcing nature of co‐rumination are discussed.