The role of perfectionism and depressive cognitions in understanding the hopelessness experienced by adolescent suicide attempters

This study examined the relation of two cognitive variables, depressive cog nitions and perfectionism, to the hopelessness experienced by adolescent su icide attempters. Adolescent suicide attempters (N = 68) were administered three measures assessing cognitive characteristics commonly associated with adolescent suicidal behavior: the Child and Adolescent Perfectionism Scale (CAPS), the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire for Adolescents (DEQ-A), and the Hopelessness Scale for Children (RSC). Socially prescribed perfecti onism on the CAPS and self-criticism on the DEQ-A were both highly correlat ed with RSC. Regression analyses indicated that perfectionism was significa ntly related to hopelessness, but this relationship was attenuated after th e effects of depressive cognitions on hopelessness were controlled. Self-cr iticism was the cognitive variable most strongly associated with hopelessne ss suggesting that it is a more important focus for cognitive interventions in adolescent suicide attempters than perfectionism.