Cognition and Suicide: Two Decades of Progress

Abstract

In this article, we discuss developments over the past two decades in the study of cognition and suicide. We review (a) research identifying cognitive characteristics and vulnerabilities of suicidal individuals, (b) recently developed mediational and multivariate models, (c) recent theoretical advances, and (d) outcome research on therapeutic interventions derived from this body of work. We conclude that significant progress has been made in terms of understanding the interplay of such cognitive processes as hopelessness, problem-solving, and autobiographical memory, and in the development of theory-driven and empirically supported interventions that specifically target suicidal thinking and behavior. We conclude with a discussion of challenging issues in this arena and possible directions for further investigation.

Suicidal Behavior and Psychological Distress in University Students: A 12-nation Study

“…Second, suicide rates are in (Bellin, 2012) and Gezi protests in Istanbul (Göle, 2013 (Ellis, & Rutherford, 2008). This line of reasoning, however, does not hold true for the Chinese sample in our study.…”

Towards an Integrated Motivational–Volitional Model of Suicidal Behaviour

“…Others still, including Schotte's and Clum's (1987) diathesis-stress model, have highlighted cognitive vulnerabilities which become pernicious when activated by stress. As a result of the emergence of these theoretical models, a plethora of personality factors (e.g., impulsivity) and cognitive factors (e.g., social problem-solving) have been identified and shown to increase risk of repeat self-harm and completed suicide (e.g., Brezo, Paris, & Turecki, 2006;Ellis & Rutherford, 2008;O'Connor, 2010). Despite these developments, many of the predictive models have adopted a narrow focus or have failed to build on the growing empirical evidence base.…”

El lugar de la psicología en las investigaciones empíricas del suicidio en Argentina: Un estudio bibliométrico

“…Estas últimas deben tener como principal objetivo aportar al avan ce del conocimiento sobre el suicidio, pero además replicar los hallazgos evidenciados en contextos diferentes (Fabrigar & Wegener, en prensa;Singh, Ang & Leong, 2003). Asimismo, en función de la importan cia que han demostrado tener las va riables psicológicas en la predicción, explicación y tratamiento del suicidio (Ellis & Rutherford, 2008;O'Connor & Nock, 2014;Wenzel & Beck, 2008;Wenzel et al, 2009), la Psicología como ciencia debe lograr un rol más protagónico en el estudio del comportamiento suicida. Por último, resulta importante seguir consolidando la colaboración internacional con países que tienen un mayor desarrollo en cuanto a publicaciones empíri-cas sobre el sui cidio, particularmente entre Argentina y otros países sudamericanos, principalmente Brasil.…”

“…Cada año se estima que mueren cerca de un millón de personas en todo el mundo debido al suicidio (Ellis & Rutherford, 2008).…”

“…Aún así, la literatura da cuenta de diversos estudios centrados en indagar aquellas variables psicológicas que permiten explicar y predecir el suicidio (Chioque ta & Stiles, 2007;Ellis & Rutherford, 2008;Rudd, Trotter & Williams, 2009;Smith, Alloy & Abramson, 2006;Wenzel & Beck, 2008;Wenzel et al, 2009;Williams, Barnhofer, Crane & Beck, 2005). De lo ante rior se desprende la importancia de contar con investigaciones empíricas que sustenten todo tipo de accionar en la problemática del suicidio, desde políticas en salud pública hasta tratamientos psicológicos (Asencio, Jimé-nez, Santos & Herrera, 2008).…”