Abstract

We set out to examine how cognitive distortions, everyday cognitive lapses, and cognitive flexibility relate to suicidal thoughts and behaviors in later life. The study enrolled 101 adults aged 65 years and older drawn from the community and a psychiatry outpatient setting where evaluations unrelated to active illness were conducted. Participants completed a sociodemographic form, the Cognitive Distortions Scale (Ultra-Brief Form) (CDS-UBF), Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ), Cognitive Flexibility Scale (CFS), Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised(SBQ-R) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Spearman correlation and stepwise binary logistic regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 29. Participants were grouped according to Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised item 1 scores: those scoring ≥2 were considered at risk for suicidal behavior. Stepwise binary logistic regression was performed with suicidal behavior (yes/no) as the dependent variable and cognitive failures, cognitive flexibility, depression, anxiety, stress, age, educational level, marital status, presence of chronic illness, and specific cognitive distortions as candidate predictors. Significant positive correlations were found between suicidal behavior and specific cognitive distortions; magnification/minimization (r=.354), mind reading (r=.344), and overgeneralization (r=.461); as well as cognitive failures (r=.438). Cognitive flexibility was negatively correlated with suicidal behavior (r=–.301). Regression analysis revealed that total cognitive failure score (B=0.037, p=0.009), magnification/minimization (B=0.632, p=0.030), and overgeneralization (B=0.683, p=0.018) were independent predictors of suicidal behavior (Nagelkerke R²=0.365). Cognitive distortions and failures appear to play a significant role in suicidal behavior among older adults, independent of mood symptoms. These findings support incorporating brief cognitive screening and targeted cognitive interventions into geriatric suicide-prevention practice.

Key words: Suicidal Ideation, Aged, Cognitive Dysfunction