The differential impact of brooding and reflection on the relationship between perceived stress and suicide ideation

•Brooding, perceived stress, and suicide ideation were positively associated.•Brooding and reflection differently impacted the stress–suicide ideation relation.•This relationship was present after controlling for depression and gender.

This study investigated whether brooding and reflection moderated the relationship between perceived stress and suicide ideation. It was hypothesized that brooding, but not reflection, would strengthen the effect of perceived stress on suicide ideation above and beyond depression symptoms. Hypotheses were supported. Results suggest the assessment of a brooding response style may help identify clients who are more likely to contemplate suicide when confronted with life stress.