A systematic review of the relationship between rumination and suicidality

Abstract

Rumination has been persistently implicated in the etiology of hopelessness and depression: proximal predictors of suicidality. As a result, research has started to examine the role of rumination in suicidality. This systematic review aims to: (i) provide a concise synopsis of the current progress in examining the relationship between rumination and suicidality; and (ii) highlight areas for future research. To this end, a search of the international literature was conducted using the three main psychological and medical databases (Psych Info [1887-October 2007], Medline [1966-October 2007] and Web of Knowledge [1981-October 2007]). Eleven studies were identified providing evidence, with one exception, of a relationship between rumination and suicidality. This systematic review has highlighted a considerable dearth of studies, specifically of case-control and prospective, clinical studies, in the worldwide literature. Key areas for future research are discussed.