Effects of early negative life experiences on cognitive functioning and risk for suicide: a review

Abstract

The literature addressing the etiology of suicidal behavior was examined from cognitive and developmental perspectives. Empirical evidence was found linking early negative life events and suicidal behavior, early negative life events and cognitive variables, and cognitive variables and suicidal behavior. A comprehensive cognitive pathway is for the first time proposed in this study by hypothesizing that early life events may impact individuals' suicidal behavior by affecting their cognitive functioning. That is, cognitive functioning may serve as a mediator in the relationship between early life events and suicidal behavior. The present review examined family psychopathology, child maltreatment, family instability, negative family environment, and negative peer relationships as early negative life events, and self-esteem, locus of control, field dependence, hopelessness, and problem-solving deficits as cognitive variables. A hypothetical model is proposed linking these three groups of variables.