Health Downturns and Predictors of Suicidal Ideation: an Application of the Baumeister Model

Baumeister (1990) has integrated personality & social psychological perspectives into one sequential model, moving from instigating events to a final stage of suicidal thoughts. In a sample of older adults undergoing the stresses of a recent health downturn, this study tested a model of suicidal ideation based on many of the components proposed by Baumeister. Results are discussed in terms of importance of life events, such as poor health & cognitive variables such as confusion.