Cognitive Factors Related to Suicidal Ideation and Resolution in Psychiatrically Hospitalized Children and Adolescents

This study was conducted to determine whether there are changes in the cognitive factors of attributional style, hopelessness, & self-esteem when suicidal ideation fades in psychiatrically hospitalized children & adolescents. The authors found that in a sample of 50 subjects with suicidal ideation, attributional style became significantly more positive & hopelessness was decreased from admission to discharge, by which time suicidal ideation had faded. There was no association between self-esteem & suicidal ideation after controlling for depression. (36 refs)