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

Arch Suicide Res. 2015;19(3):350-65. doi: 10.1080/13811118.2014.981623. Epub 2014 Dec 17.

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.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Personality*
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / epidemiology
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / psychology*
  • Social Support
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Students / psychology*
  • Students / statistics & numerical data
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology*
  • Suicide, Attempted / statistics & numerical data
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult