Cognition and Suicide: Two Decades of Progress

Abstract

In this article, we discuss developments over the past two decades in the study of cognition and suicide. We review (a) research identifying cognitive characteristics and vulnerabilities of suicidal individuals, (b) recently developed mediational and multivariate models, (c) recent theoretical advances, and (d) outcome research on therapeutic interventions derived from this body of work. We conclude that significant progress has been made in terms of understanding the interplay of such cognitive processes as hopelessness, problem–solving, and autobiographical memory, and in the development of theory–driven and empirically supported interventions that specifically target suicidal thinking and behavior. We conclude with a discussion of challenging issues in this arena and possible directions for further investigation.