Self-Regulated Well-Being: A Moderated Mediation Effect of Self-Rumination and Social Support

Studies on self-focused emotion-regulation strategies such as self-rumination and self-reflection report both positive and negative effects. It however remains unclear how self-reflection and self-rumination are interdependent, and when they affect well-being. In this study, the mediation effect of self-rumination on the relationships between self-efficacy, self-reflection, and life satisfaction was investigated together with social support as a moderator in this regard. A representative sample of Dutch employees (N = 489) completed a questionnaire package. We used hierarchical multiple regression analysis to test for moderated mediation. Our findings indicate that self-rumination acts as a mediator between self-reflection and life satisfaction. When social support was taken into account as a moderator, the indirect effects of self-efficacy and self-reflection were stronger and significant in the high social support condition. More knowledge about the factors that induce, influence, and perpetuate self-rumination could lead to timely intervention and effective assistance to enhance psychological well-being.