Rumination and Pessimistic Certainty as Mediators of the Relation Between Lifetime Suicide Attempt History and Future Suicidal Ideation

Abstract

This study examined whether rumination and certainty about pessimistic future-event predictions (P-Certainty) would mediate the relation between lifetime suicide attempt history and future suicidal ideation. Young adults, ages 18–25 (N = 143), with a suicide attempt history (n = 32) or no previous suicide attempt history (n = 111) at baseline, were followed up 2–3 years later and completed measures of rumination, depressive symptoms, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and pessimistic future-event certainty. Lifetime suicide attempts at baseline were associated with higher suicidal ideation at follow up, and this relation was mediated by rumination and P-Certainty. Suicide attempters may be vulnerable to later ideation due to higher levels of rumination and also certainty in their pessimistic future expectations.