When Secrets Linger: How Brooding Intensifies and Reflection Alleviates Negative affect

Prior studies have indicated that repetitive thinking about secrets can have negative effects, yet adaptive processes such as reflective rumination may alleviate the associated negative affect. The present study investigates the impact of reflective and brooding rumination on the relationship between secrecy and negative affect. In this study, we conducted two studies. Study 1 (N = 273) utilized a cross-sectional design to conduct self-reported measurements of self-concealment, reflection and rumination on secrets, and negative emotions experienced when the participants recalled secrets. Study 2 (N = 254) employed a quasiexperimental design to further verify the mediating impact of reflection and rumination on negative affect following secrecy. The results indicated that reflective rumination mitigates the negative affect associated with secrecy, whereas brooding rumination intensifies this negative affect.