Understanding psychological distress and suicidality : the predictive utility of perfectionism and autobiographical memory

Abstract

Objective. Previous research has implicated personality and cognitive factors in the experience of suicidal thoughts and behaviours. On the basis of two psychological models of suicide (Escape from Self; Baumeister, 1990; Cry of Pain, Williams, 1997), this thesis investigated an integrative model involving the relationship between perfectionism, motivation, and autobiographical memory recall to predict psychological distress (hopelessness, depression/anxiety, suicide ideation). Methodology. Four inter-related, but independent, prospective studies were conducted to address a number of research questions in both university students (Studies 1,2 & 3) and parasuicide patients (Study 4). Results. The main findings of this thesis are that slow or over-general recall of negative and positive memories moderates the relationship between perfectionism and psychological distress. Furthermore, it was found that perfectionism serves as a mediator in the relationship between behavioural inhibition motivation (BIS) and psychological distress. Overall, the results suggest that much knowledge can be gained from investigating the psychological processes underlying suicidal behaviour, and we highlight the utility of employing integrative psychological models. The results are discussed in terms of their therapeutic implications, as well as their implications for future research.