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. 2017 May 31;13(2):178-193.
doi: 10.5964/ejop.v13i2.1238. eCollection 2017 May.

A Cognitive Distortions and Deficits Model of Suicide Ideation

Laura L Fazakas-DeHoog  1   2 , Katerina Rnic  2 , David J A Dozois  2
Affiliations

A Cognitive Distortions and Deficits Model of Suicide Ideation

Laura L Fazakas-DeHoog et al. Eur J Psychol. .

Abstract

Although cognitive distortions and deficits are known risk factors for the development and escalation of suicide ideation and behaviour, no empirical work has examined how these variables interact to predict suicide ideation. The current study proposes an integrative model of cognitive distortions (hopelessness and negative evaluations of self and future) and deficits (problem solving deficits, problem solving avoidance, and cognitive rigidity). To test the integrity of this model, a sample of 397 undergraduate students completed measures of deficits, distortions, and current suicide ideation. A structural equation model demonstrated excellent fit, and findings indicated that only distortions have a direct effect on suicidal thinking, whereas cognitive deficits may exert their effects on suicide ideation via their reciprocal relation with distortions. Findings underscore the importance of both cognitive distortions and deficits for understanding suicidality, which may have implications for preventative efforts and treatment.

Keywords: cognitive deficits; cognitive distortions; hopelessness; suicide; suicide ideation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. SEM statistics for the Modified Cognitive Distortions and Cognitive Deficits Model of Suicidal Thinking.
Note. Suicide Ideation = BSS Total Score; GAS-S = General Attitudes Scale-Self; GAS-F = General Attitudes Scale-Future; BHS = Beck Hopelessness Scale; SPSI-R = Social Problem-Solving Inventory – Rational problem-solving; EFT-mean = Embedded Figures Test-mean time; SPSI-A = Social Problem-solving Inventory-Avoidant problem-solving. *p < .001.
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