Negative attributional style for interpersonal events and the occurrence of severe interpersonal disruptions as predictors of self-reported suicidal ideation.
We applied the hopelessness theory of depression to suicidal symptoms: 203 undergraduates completed questionnaires on attributional style, negative life events, hopelessness, and suicidal symptoms at one point in time and again 10 weeks later. Consistent with prediction, the combination of a negative attributional style for interpersonal events and the occurrence of such events were prospectively related to increases in self-reported suicidality over the course of the 10-week study. These findings displayed specificity with respect to interpersonal versus achievement-related styles and events. Contrary to hypothesis, hopelessness did not mediate the relation between the Attributional style x Stress interaction and the increases in self-reported suicidality.
Joiner
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TE
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0425, USA.
Rudd
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MD
D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011340:Problem Solving; D012649:Self Concept; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention