Rumination and psychological pain in depressed patients as Risk Factors for Suicide

Abstract

Background : Suicide rates were higher in patients with depressive illnesses, according to research. Suicidal thoughts were present in about 75 percent of depressive patients. The routes to Suicide are complicated and involve multiple risk factors. The study aimed to assess the likelihood of suicide behavior in depressed patients and how it relates to psychological pain and rumination. Design: A descriptive correlational research design. Subjects and Methods : A purposive sample, which included 112 patients with major depressive disorder, were enrolled in the study; also, they were chosen from the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinics at the El Ahrar and Zagazig University Hospitals in Egypt. Demographic interview sheets, the Ruminative Responses Scale, the Mee-Bunney Psychological Pain Rating Scale, and the Suicide Probability Scale were requested to be completed by the participants. Results: Nearly three-fifths of the sample under consideration had high levels of psychological distress, high levels of rumination were present in more than 50% of the depressive patients, and most depressive patients had moderate levels of suicidal risk. Suicidal risk was positively correlated with rumination and psychological pain. Conclusion: Significantly positive predictors of suicidal probability included ruminating, psychological suffering, and previous suicide attempts. Recommendations: Interferences that emphasize relieving rumination, such as Rumination-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, learning problem-solving skills, and meditation, might be mainly helpful in diminishing suicide risk in patients with depression.