The present study was conducted to investigate the role of emotional schemas, emotional regulation self-efficacy, and cognitive flexibility in predicting rumination. This study was applied in terms of purpose and descriptive-correlational in terms of method and based on stepwise regression analysis. The statistical population of the study consisted of all female students of Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, in the second semester of the academic year 2024-2025, from whom 400 people were selected using the convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the Emotional Schemas Scale, Emotional Regulation Self-Efficacy Scale, Cognitive Flexibility Scale, and Rumination Scale and analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise regression. The results showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between emotional schemas and rumination, and a negative and significant relationship between cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation self-efficacy, and rumination. Also, the results of stepwise regression showed that the variables of control, guilt, alternatives, emotional simplification, blaming others, and lack of control significantly predicted rumination. In the final model, control had the strongest inverse relationship with rumination; while guilt, emotional simplification, blaming others, and lack of control showed a direct relationship with rumination, and alternatives showed an inverse relationship with it. These variables explained a total of 61% of the variance in rumination. The research findings show that the components of emotional schemas, emotional regulation self-efficacy, and cognitive flexibility play an important role in explaining and predicting rumination. Therefore, paying attention to correcting dysfunctional emotional schemas, strengthening emotion regulation skills, and increasing cognitive flexibility can be effective in designing psychological interventions to reduce rumination.
