Factors Associated With Suicide History and Parameters of Suicidal Ideation: A Preliminary Investigation of Cognitive Reactivity and Ego Depletion

Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2026 Jun;56(3):e70109. doi: 10.1111/sltb.70109.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Understanding suicide risk remains a global health challenge, yet one under-researched avenue involves examining internalized cognitions related to suicide. This study examined cognitive reactivity and ego depletion in relation to participants’ suicide history and the frequency, duration, and intensity of suicidal ideation.

METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey of UK adults was conducted between October and December 2021 using opportunity sampling. Measures included self-reported cognitive reactivity, ego depletion, impulsivity, entrapment, stress, depression, and resilience.

RESULTS: Among 312 participants (M_age = 28.44, SD = 10.0; 80.4% White; 64.7% female), univariate logistic regression analyses indicated that cognitive reactivity and ego depletion significantly differentiated between individuals with no suicide history, suicidal ideation only, and prior suicide attempts. After controlling for other risk factors, only impulsivity and depression independently distinguished those with ideation history from those with attempts. Beyond depression, negative urgency and entrapment predicted ideation frequency; cognitive reactivity and stress predicted duration; ego depletion, entrapment, and stress predicted intensity. The hopelessness/suicidality component of cognitive reactivity predicted all three ideation parameters.

CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive reactivity and ego depletion may represent risk factors for suicidality. Findings support a multidimensional framework for conceptualizing suicidal ideation to improve risk assessment and prediction.

PMID:42219786 | DOI:10.1111/sltb.70109