The relationship between negative emotions and adjustment disorder in young adults: the mediating role of rumination and insomnia

IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the influence of negative emotions on adjustment disorder (AjD) in young adults, focusing on the mediating role of rumination and insomnia.MethodsThe study recruited 2015 young patients (aged 18–35) receiving treatment at the Psychosomatic Medicine Departm...

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Main Authors: Xinyue Shao, Zhao Dong, Shuai Zhang, Yunyun Qiao, Hongwei Zhang, Hua Guo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1474108/full
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author Xinyue Shao
Zhao Dong
Shuai Zhang
Yunyun Qiao
Hongwei Zhang
Hua Guo
author_facet Xinyue Shao
Zhao Dong
Shuai Zhang
Yunyun Qiao
Hongwei Zhang
Hua Guo
author_sort Xinyue Shao
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the influence of negative emotions on adjustment disorder (AjD) in young adults, focusing on the mediating role of rumination and insomnia.MethodsThe study recruited 2015 young patients (aged 18–35) receiving treatment at the Psychosomatic Medicine Department of the Affiliated Encephalopathy Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2023 to March 2024. Participants completed the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), Insomnia Severity Scale (ISI), and Adjustment Disorder – New Module 20(ADNM-20) to assess negative emotions, rumination thinking, sleep status, and AjD. Data were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics, correlation, hierarchical linear regression, and mediation analyses.Results1) AjD was significantly influenced by being an only child and family composition, but there was no significant gender difference. Scores for negative emotions, rumination, insomnia, and AjD varied significantly different among different age groups, with the 30–35 age group scoring significantly higher than others. 2) Total scores for the DASS-21and its subscales, the RRS and its subscales, insomnia, and AjD were significantly correlated (p < 0.01). Negative emotions and ruminative thoughts predicted AjD, accounting for 47.8% of the total variation in AjD. 3) Negative emotions positively predicted AjD (β = 0.37, p < 0.001). Negative emotions affect AjD in young adults through rumination and insomnia alone and together, and the mediating effect accounts for 34%, 7.9%, and 20% of the total effect.DiscussionThe study’s findings suggest that rumination and insomnia play significant mediating roles in the relationship between negative emotions and AjD in young adults. Negative emotions directly affect AjD and have indirect effects through rumination and insomnia.
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spelling doaj-art-922f804827d84da1bf47b08e97c865732025-08-20T02:45:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-02-011610.3389/fpsyt.2025.14741081474108The relationship between negative emotions and adjustment disorder in young adults: the mediating role of rumination and insomniaXinyue ShaoZhao DongShuai ZhangYunyun QiaoHongwei ZhangHua GuoIntroductionThis study aimed to investigate the influence of negative emotions on adjustment disorder (AjD) in young adults, focusing on the mediating role of rumination and insomnia.MethodsThe study recruited 2015 young patients (aged 18–35) receiving treatment at the Psychosomatic Medicine Department of the Affiliated Encephalopathy Hospital of Zhengzhou University from February 2023 to March 2024. Participants completed the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), Insomnia Severity Scale (ISI), and Adjustment Disorder – New Module 20(ADNM-20) to assess negative emotions, rumination thinking, sleep status, and AjD. Data were analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics, correlation, hierarchical linear regression, and mediation analyses.Results1) AjD was significantly influenced by being an only child and family composition, but there was no significant gender difference. Scores for negative emotions, rumination, insomnia, and AjD varied significantly different among different age groups, with the 30–35 age group scoring significantly higher than others. 2) Total scores for the DASS-21and its subscales, the RRS and its subscales, insomnia, and AjD were significantly correlated (p < 0.01). Negative emotions and ruminative thoughts predicted AjD, accounting for 47.8% of the total variation in AjD. 3) Negative emotions positively predicted AjD (β = 0.37, p < 0.001). Negative emotions affect AjD in young adults through rumination and insomnia alone and together, and the mediating effect accounts for 34%, 7.9%, and 20% of the total effect.DiscussionThe study’s findings suggest that rumination and insomnia play significant mediating roles in the relationship between negative emotions and AjD in young adults. Negative emotions directly affect AjD and have indirect effects through rumination and insomnia.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1474108/fullnegative emotionsadjustment disorderruminationinsomniamultiple mediating roleyoung adults
spellingShingle Xinyue Shao
Zhao Dong
Shuai Zhang
Yunyun Qiao
Hongwei Zhang
Hua Guo
The relationship between negative emotions and adjustment disorder in young adults: the mediating role of rumination and insomnia
Frontiers in Psychiatry
negative emotions
adjustment disorder
rumination
insomnia
multiple mediating role
young adults
title The relationship between negative emotions and adjustment disorder in young adults: the mediating role of rumination and insomnia
title_full The relationship between negative emotions and adjustment disorder in young adults: the mediating role of rumination and insomnia
title_fullStr The relationship between negative emotions and adjustment disorder in young adults: the mediating role of rumination and insomnia
title_full_unstemmed The relationship between negative emotions and adjustment disorder in young adults: the mediating role of rumination and insomnia
title_short The relationship between negative emotions and adjustment disorder in young adults: the mediating role of rumination and insomnia
title_sort relationship between negative emotions and adjustment disorder in young adults the mediating role of rumination and insomnia
topic negative emotions
adjustment disorder
rumination
insomnia
multiple mediating role
young adults
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1474108/full
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