The normality of suicidal cognitions

Whelan, Emma (2000) The normality of suicidal cognitions. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

This dissertation examines the idea that suicidal cognitions might exist on a continuum of normal experience. The current suicidal literature does not consider this concept and only assumes a continuum of suicidal intent. These papers propose that suicidal cognitions might occur for people not experiencing clinical disorders and where there is no associated intent. The idea that many symptoms of clinical disorders are exaggerations of everyday experiences is a core assumption of cognitive theory. The continuum approach has been used to successfully understand other clinical disorders, and in suicide this approach might help to better explain the process by which people become suicidal. The literature review explores the contribution of cognitive theory to our understanding of suicidal thinking and examines whether the existing literature is helpful in assessing whether suicidal cognitions might exist on a continuum. The empirical paper provides an investigation into examining the normality of suicidal cognitions in a non-clinical population. A measure is designed to evaluate the frequency of suicidal thoughts, images and impulses in a non-clinical population and assess how bothered people are by any suicidal cognitions they experience. The results provide initial support for the idea of this normal continuum; non-clinical participants experienced suicidal cognitions with less frequency, distress and difficulties with dismissability than a sub-clinical group. There appears to be a role for stress in these suicidal cognitions but only for the sub-clinical group. The findings of the study are discussed with reference to theoretical and clinical implications and suggestions for future research.

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