Ruminative subtypes and impulsivity in risk for suicidal behavior

Abstract

Rumination has been previously linked to negative psychological outcomes, including depression and suicidal behavior. However, there has been conflicting research on whether or not two different subtypes of rumination – brooding and reflection – are more or less maladaptive. The present research sought to (1) examine whether individuals high in brooding but lower in reflection would show higher trait and behavioral impulsivity, relative to individuals low in brooding and low in reflection; and (2) examine impulsivity as a mediator of the relation between ruminative subtypes and suicidal ideation. In Study 1, participants (N = 78) were recruited based on high, average, and low scores on a measure of brooding and reflective rumination. Individuals who scored high in brooding and average in reflection scored significantly higher in negative urgency, that is, in the tendency to act rashly in an attempt to reduce negative affect, than did those who scored low in brooding and low in reflection. Study 2 (N = 1638) examined the relationship between ruminative subtypes, impulsivity, and suicide risk. We found an indirect relationship between brooding and suicide risk through lack of premeditation and lack of perseverance, independently of reflection. These findings are discussed in relation to cognitive risk for suicide.

Motor impulsivity differentiates between psychiatric inpatients with multiple versus single lifetime suicide attempts

“…In some instances, laboratory behavioral methods of measuring impulsivity may better differentiate between levels of suicide risk than self-report measures (Dougherty et al, 2004a). Future research may also explore other dimensions of impulsivity including negative urgency, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance (Valderrama et al, 2016). We concur with suggestions that measures of episodic impulsivity be developed (Anestis et al, 2014), and further, that the interaction between trait impulsivity and specific contexts be considered (Mischel and Shoda, 1995).…”

Impulsivity as a mediator in the relationship between problem solving and suicidal ideation

“…Among patients with borderline personality disorder, suicidal behavior has been found to be associated with a lack of premeditation and negative urgency, and to a lesser extent, lack of perseverance (Lynam et al., ). Research has also found an indirect relationship between brooding and suicide risk through both lack of premeditation and lack of perseverance (Valderrama et al., ). Valderrama et al.…”

“…Valderrama et al. () speculate that brooding impedes individuals from disconnecting from negative emotions, which limits their ability to problem solve adaptively and thus leads to impulsive responding.…”

Early life stress predicts negative urgency through brooding, depending on 5-HTTLPR genotype: A pilot study with 6-month follow-up examining suicide ideation

“…Recent research also suggests a relationship between brooding and impulsivity, in the form of negative urgency (Valderrama et al, 2016). Negative urgency is a dimension of trait impulsivity characterized by the tendency to act rashly in response to negative emotions (Whiteside and Lynam, 2001; Cyders et al, 2007).…”

“…However, no previous research of which we are aware has examined the association between negative urgency and early life stress in the context of risk for suicide ideation and/or behavior. We have previously suggested that brooding may increase risk for suicidal behavior by depleting the cognitive resources necessary to keep from responding impulsively to negative emotions (Valderrama et al, 2016). One possible mechanism through which early life stress may increase risk for suicidal behavior is through increases in brooding, and subsequently, through negative urgency.…”