The Role of Perfectionism and Depressive Cognitions in Understanding the Hopelessness Experienced by Adolescent Suicide Attempters

This study examined the relation of 2 cognitive variables, depressiove cognitions & perfectionism, to the hopelessness experienced by adolescent suicide attempters. 68 adolescents were administered 3 measures assessing cognitive characteristics commonly associated with adolescent suicidal behaviour. Regression analyses indicated perfectionism was significantly related to hopelessness, but this relationship was attenuated after the effects of depressive cognitions on hopelessness were controlled. Self-criticism was the cognitive variable most strongly associated with hopelessness suggesting it is a more important focus for cognitive interventions in adolescent suicide attempters than perfectionism. (25 refs.)