Rumination and Hopelessness as Mediators of the Relation Between Perceived Emotion Dysregulation and Suicidal Ideation

The present study examined whether particular emotion dysregulation dimensions were associated with suicidal ideation through their effects on ruminative thinking and hopelessness. Emerging adults (ages 18-25) with (n = 32) and without (n = 111) a suicide attempt history completed an emotion dysregulation measure at baseline and measures of rumination, hopelessness, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation 2-3 years later. Multiple suicide attempters (n = 15) were distinguished by elevated scores on emotion dysregulation dimensions involving impulse control difficulties and inability to access effective emotion regulation strategies. The Strategies dimension, assessed at baseline, was significantly associated with both rumination and hopelessness at follow-up, and with higher ideation at follow-up. Rumination and hopelessness mediated the relation between Strategies and ideation, even when adjusting for depressive symptoms. Perceived inability to access emotion regulation strategies may increase vulnerability to suicidal ideation through its effects on rumination and hopelessness.