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Repetitive negative thinking during low mood linked to suicidal thoughts

Repetitive negative thinking during low mood linked to suicidal thoughts
Integrative ideation models. A. Suicidal ideation - without SMFQ as covariate. B. Suicidal ideation - with SMFQ as covariate. Brain alterations were based on selected brain regions of inferior frontal gyrus (pars orbitalis), precuneus, rostral anterior cingulate and the superior temporal cortex. Estimates are unstandardized (standardized) path coefficients. Single-headed arrows represent regression paths. Double-headed arrows depict covariances between the three endogenous variables. Red arrows denote significant associations. Black arrows represent non-significant associations.* p < 0.05. B. SMFQ was specified as covariate for all latent factors and the dependent variable in this model, but is not depicted for simplicity. The relationship between the sum score of SMFQ and ideation was significant at p < 0.001. Abbreviations. SMFQ, Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire; ROI, region of interest; STB, suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Credit: Journal of Affective Disorders (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.087

A tendency towards repetitive, fixed thinking during low mood has been related to suicidal thoughts among adolescents with major depressive disorder in a new study.

Suicide is the second most common cause of death among , with around 800,000 deaths worldwide. Major depressive disorder carries on of the highest risks of suicide, and so better understanding the mechanisms which underlie this risk is critically important.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham in collaboration with researchers from the University of Cambridge, Leiden University, University of Melbourne and Yale Medical School examined three different risk factors thought to be linked to suicidal ideation (suicidal thoughts) among young people with .

In the study, published this week in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the team looked at repetitive negative thinking—or cognitive rumination—structural changes in specific regions of the brain; and recent stress.

They used data from an existing clinical trial (MR-IMPACT), set up to investigate major depressive disorders among adolescents. The aim was to test theories that suicidal ideation is linked to functional changes in specific regions of the brain, which are also linked to repetitive negative thinking, or cognitive rumination.

In addition, recent stressful experiences during childhood are thought to shape and have been linked to structural brain alterations thought to be associated with suicidal ideation.

The links between cognitive rumination, and its underpinning brain structure have not previously been studied in relation to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young people with major depressive disorders.

The findings, which are preliminary, include data from 67 male and with an average age of 16. All the participants had a diagnosis of major depressive disorder. The results suggest that increased rumination is a predictor of greater severity of in young people with major depressive disorder.

The team did not find any significant links between recent stresses and suicidal thoughts, or between lower surface area in the studied and suicidal thoughts—although recent studies have linked brain surface area, rumination and recent stress.

Lead researcher, Dr. Maria Dauvermann, of the School of Psychology at the University of Birmingham said, "We found evidence that increased levels of rumination predicted increased levels of . This was the most significant finding in the study and—although only a preliminary finding—it provides a promising benchmark from which to investigate this area further and could lead to new treatment methods for young people with major depressive disorders."

More information: Maria R. Dauvermann et al, Elevated cognitive rumination and adverse life events are associated with lower cortical surface area and suicidal ideation in adolescents with major depressive disorder, Journal of Affective Disorders (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.087

Journal information: Journal of Affective Disorders
Citation: Repetitive negative thinking during low mood linked to suicidal thoughts (2023, March 16) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-03-repetitive-negative-mood-linked-suicidal.html
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