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Comparative Study
. 2015;19(3):350-65.
doi: 10.1080/13811118.2014.981623. Epub 2014 Dec 17.

Brooding, Reflection, and Distraction: Relation to Non-Suicidal Self-Injury versus Suicide Attempts

Lillian Polanco-Roman, Justyna Jurska, Victoria Quiñones, Regina Miranda
Comparative Study

Brooding, Reflection, and Distraction: Relation to Non-Suicidal Self-Injury versus Suicide Attempts

Lillian Polanco-Roman et al. Arch Suicide Res. 2015.

Abstract

The present study examined the relation between cognitive response styles (i.e., brooding, reflection, distraction) and cognitive inflexibility in differentially predicting history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) only, suicide attempt (SA) only, or both (NSSI + SA). College students (N = 352) completed self-report measures of rumination, distraction, and self-harm history, a diagnostic interview, and a computerized task measuring cognitive flexibility. Brooding uniquely predicted SA-only history, while reflection uniquely predicted history of NSSI-only and NSSI + SA. Distraction was associated with lower odds of NSSI-only and NSSI + SA. Cognitive inflexibility was not significantly associated with self-harm history. Cognitive vulnerabilities may help identify individuals who are at risk for self-harm and may differentiate between NSSI and SA.

Keywords: cognitive inflexibility; distraction; non-suicidal self-injury; rumination; suicide attempts.

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