The stress generation theory explains unanswered questions in suicide research: an integrated transactional diathesis-stress model of suicide
Date
2013-08
Authors
Kleiman, Evan
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Abstract
The thesis tests a transactional cognitive vulnerability model of suicidal ideation that integrates the findings from diathesis-stress (cognitive vulnerability) models and transactional (stress generation) research. In the first component of the two step model, we hypothesized that negative dependent events (events that are self generated) would moderate the relationship between negative cognitive style and suicidal ideation over time while negative independent events (events that are fateful) would not. In the second component, we hypothesized that the relationship between negative cognitive style and suicidal ideation would be mediated by the generation of negative dependent events and their impact on subsequent interpersonal beliefs that one is a burden to others and does not belong to a social group. A subsidiary hypothesis was that negative dependent events would moderate the relationship between negative cognitive style and depressive symptoms, while negative independent events would not. Participants (n = 193) completed self report measures of negative cognitive style, thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal ideation as well as an interview of life events twice over a six week period. Results confirmed both hypotheses of the new integrated model as well as the subsidiary hypothesis. Thus, the results provide support for an integrated transactional cognitive vulnerability model of suicide ideation.
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Keywords
Clinical psychology, Hopelessness Theory, Interpersonal Psychological Theory, Mediation, Stress Generation, Suicidal Ideation, Suicide