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Cited by 485Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesProblem Solving Skills DevelopmentAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Problem-solving skills in suicidal psychiatric patients.

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Schotte, David E., Clum, George A.·1987·Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
DOI 10.1037/0022-006x.55.1.49
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Abstract

Both popular clinical folklore and the findings of empirical research have suggested a relationship between cognitive rigidity and suicidal behavior. Specifically, it has been hypothesized that individuals deficient in the capacity for flexible thought become increasingly hopelessness and suicidal in the face of high levels of environmental stress. That is, these persons are thought to be cognitively unprepared to deal with negative life events. The present study sought to evaluate this model with hospitalized psychiatric patients placed on suicidal precautions status by hospital staff. Suicidal and non-suicidal control subjects completed measures of life stress, depression, cognitive rigidity, hopelessness, and suicidal intent. In addition, these subject also completed two measures of interpersonal problem-solving. Suicidal subjects were found to report higher levels of negative life stress in the previous year than members of the control group. Suicidal subjects were also significantly more cognitively rigid and the rigidity appears to have been reflected in their performance on the interpersonal problem-solving measures. Overall, suicidal subjects were observed to be poorer problem-solvers than the non-suicidal control group members on both measures of interpersonal problem-solving skills. More specific analyses showed that these subjects were not able to generate as many potential solutions to interpersonal problems from their own lives and when asked to evaluate these solutions, the suicidal subjects tended to rate them more negatively than did the control subjects. Suicidal subjects were also less likely than control subjects to employ these alternatives when subsequently attempting to solve the presented problem. Additionally, the suicidal subjects tended more often to implement irrelevant solutions. Although the suicidal subjects were significantly more hopeless than the non-suicidal subjects, it appears that this variable contributed independently to the level of suicide intent, rather than resulting from cognitive rigidity and interpersonal problem-solving deficits. Results are interpreted as supporting Beck's (1979) viewpoint that both deficits in problem-solving skills and hopelessness need to be addressed in the treatment of suicidal patients.

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  • This may account for difficulties in solving problems which have been observed in suicidal individuals.

    “Similarly, it may account for difficulties in solving problems which have been observed in suicidal individuals (Schotte and Clum, 1987).”

    From The Psychological Pathway to Suicide Attempts: A Strategy of Control Without Awareness (2021) · cites this paper as Schotte and Clum, 1987

  • These findings may also be linked to differences in ability to make decisions and solve problems, since both of these processes are likely to involve imagining future events, and therefore may also affect awareness of consequences.

    “These findings may also be linked to differences in ability to make decisions and solve problems (Schotte and Clum, 1987; Saffer and Klonsky, 2018), since both of these processes are likely to involve imagining future events (Gilbert and Wilson, 2007; Schacter et al., 2008, 2012; Schacter, 2012), and therefore may also affect awareness of consequences.”

    From The Psychological Pathway to Suicide Attempts: A Strategy of Control Without Awareness (2021) · cites this paper as Schotte and Clum, 1987

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Authors
Schotte, D. E., & Clum, G. A.
Venue
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
1987
Volume
55
Issue
1
Pages
49-54
ISSN
  • 0022-006X (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-2117
DOI
10.1037/0022-006x.55.1.49
OpenAlex
W1999508769
Cited by
485
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 15
FWCI
8.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • VTechWorks (Virginia Tech) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Speech and Hearing › Problem Solving Skills Development
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
suicide, suicidal behavior, problem-solving skills, cognitive rigidity, hopelessness, life events, depression, suicidal intent, social problem solving, psychiatric inpatients, solution generation
MeSH terms
Adult, Female, Humans, Life Change Events, Male, Middle Aged, Problem Solving, Suicide, Suicide, Attempted

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