Prevalence and psychological correlates of anxiety symptoms in subthreshold depressive adolescents with a high level of rumination response style

This study examined between anxiety symptoms in subthreshold depressive (SD) adolescents with rumination and their personal predispositions. A total of 371 SD adolescents were enrolled in the study (females 55.26%, mean age = 16.34, SD = 0.96). The adolescents completed the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC), Center for Epidemiological Survey-Depression Scale (CES-D), Ruminative Response Scale (RRS), Individualism-Collectivism Scale (ICS), and Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC). Results following univariate analysis, logistic regression (backward: Wald), and the area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) revealed a pattern among individuals with subthreshold depression and high levels of rumination. The SD adolescents with a high level of rumination scored higher on vertical individualism, which values independence, autonomy, competitiveness, and a desire for high status. Additionally, they also exhibited higher athletic competence, a self-esteem dimension related to one's perceived skill, ability, and confidence in physical activities and sports. The combination of vertical individualism and athletic competence differentiated SD adolescents from those without anxiety symptoms. Our results suggest high vertical individualism and high athletic competence likely contribute to anxiety symptoms in SD adolescents with a high level of rumination.