The current study examines a series of interactions between a prior history of suicidal behavior and cognitions permissive of suicide, and the variables of depression and hopelessness in the relationship with suicidal ideation in two samples of incarcerated offenders. Results indicate that both a prior history of suicidal behavior and cognitions permissive of suicide interact with depression and hopelessness in a multiple regression equation with the outcome of suicidal ideation. A second study confirms and extends the initial findings. Taken together, the interactions in these studies account for four and 19% of additional variance in the relationship with suicidal ideation. The results indicate that certain suicide-related variables are multiplicative in their relationship. The discussion considers the variables within an empirically derived multidimensional framework. (Contains 8 tables and 1 note.)