Comparing Rumination and Metacognitive Beliefs in Working Women and Homemakers Living in Yazd City, Iran

 Women play a major role in the economic activities of society. Ruminants are repetitive, persistent, reversible, and uncontrollable, revolving around a normal subject. These thoughts involuntarily enter the level of consciousness and divert attention from the main themes. Because of the problems and pressure that working women suffer, rumination in these people may develop, and its persistence prevents problem–solving and increases negative feelings. Researchers believe that cognitive self–awareness negatively affects a person's mental health and mental engagement, especially when accompanied by anxiety about being in the company of others, which leads to persistent and exacerbated depression. Researches show less rumination among working people, on the other hand, more cognitive awareness about colleagues and the work environment. This research compared and evaluated the rumination and metacognitive beliefs in working women and homemakers' groups.

 The research method was descriptive and causal–comparative. The statistical population comprised all homemakers and working women living in Yazd City, Iran, in 1400. The research sample consisted of 200 women selected by convenience sampling. The inclusion criteria were not receiving training related to self–awareness, reducing disturbing thoughts, and not participating in counseling sessions while conducting the research. The exclusion criterion was an unwillingness to participate in the study. The research instruments were Rumination Scale (Nolen–Hoeksema & Morrow, 1991) and Metacognitions Questionnaire) Wells & Cartwright–Hatton, 2004). In the descriptive statistics section of the research, mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage were calculated. The independent t test was used in the inferential statistics section. The software used in the research was SPSS, and a significance level of 0.05 was considered for all tests.

 The results showed a significant difference between the two groups of working women and housewives regarding rumination (p<0.001). But regarding metacognitive beliefs, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (p=0.631).

 According to the research findings, women's employment can help them be less involved in disturbing thoughts and ruminations and have more mental health.