Direct and Indirect Effects of Behavioral Inhibition/Activation Systems on Depression and Current Suicidal Ideation Through Rumination and Self-Reflection

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate direct and indirect effects of the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and the behavioral activation system (BAS) on depression and current suicidal ideation through rumination and self-reflection in a sample of suicide attempters. Three hundred suicide attempters completed the Rumination/Reflection Questionnaire (RRQ), the Carver and White BIS/BAS scales, the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI), and the Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI-II). Results revealed that the BAS and BIS had direct effects on suicidal ideation but not depression. Low BAS had an indirect effect on depression through decreased self-reflection. High BIS had an indirect effect on depression via increased rumination. Low BAS and high BIS had indirect effects on suicidal ideation through decreased self-reflection. The findings suggest that low BAS and high BIS may be associated with depression and suicidal ideation in suicide attempters who have decreased self-reflection and increased rumination. Also, increasing self-reflection and reducing rumination as respectively adaptive and maladaptive self-focused attention strategies may prohibit depression and suicidal ideation.

Keywords:

• behavioral inhibition/activation systems
• rumination
• self-reflection
• depression
• suicidal ideation
• suicide attempters

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank the research deputy of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Also, we appreciate all the individuals participating in this study.

CONTRIBUTORS

All authors contributed substantively to the preparation of the manuscript. All authors were involved in the statistical analyses and data collection of the study. All authors contributed to and have approved the final manuscript.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

This research was extracted from a supported project by the research deputy of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences [7698].

Notes on contributors

Vahid Khosravani

Vahid Khosravani, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Ali Baseri

Ali Baseri, Manager of Mental Health Office, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Zoleikha Kamali

Zoleikha Kamali, University Technology Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Ali Mohammadzadeh

Ali Mohammadzadeh, Department of Psychology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

Ali Amirinezhad

Ali Amirinezhad, Psychosocial Injuries Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.