Personality and cognitive processes: self-criticism and different types of rumination as predictors of suicidal ideation

Abstract

Self-criticism and rumination have been related to suicidality. In the present study, we investigated the extent to which different types of rumination (brooding and reflection) mediate the relationship between self-criticism and suicidal ideation. Two hundred and thirty two healthy adults completed a range of psychological inventories at Time 1 and were followed up approximately three months later (Time 2). Brooding was more strongly associated with suicidal ideation than reflection. Hierarchical regression analyses confirmed that among those who completed measures at both time points, brooding rumination fully mediated the self-criticism–time 2 suicidal ideation relationship. Reflection did not mediate the self-criticism–suicidal ideation link. The findings support a growing corpus of research which highlights the utility of personality and cognitive factors in advancing our understanding of the suicidal process. The theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.