As noted above, all of these constructs are strongly linked to N/NE (Cox et al. 2001, Kasch et al. 2001), and some (particularly rumination and self-criticism) can be considered facets of this broader trait (Watson et al. 2006). Lower-order facets can account for variance over and above that of higher-order traits (Paunonen & Ashton 2001), and several cross-sectional studies have supported the incremental validity of ruminative response style and self-criticism (Cox et al. 2004, Muris et al. 2009b) in associations with depressive symptoms. However, this issue requires more research, particularly using longitudinal designs.
