The Use of the MMPI forthe Differentiation of Suicidal and Non-Suicidal Depressions

Abstract

The MMPI profiles of forty suicidal and forty non-suicidal male and female depressed patients, matched for age, were compared. Significant differences between MMPI scale T scores which showed some sex specificity were found between the suicidal and non-suicidal depressives. These results replicate previous findings. However neither individual scale T scores, derived discriminant functions, nor actuarial or cluster analysis-derived MMPI profiles could completely discriminate between suicidal and non-suicidal depressed inpatients of either sex. The relevance and implications of these findings to the ascertainment of suicidal risk are discussed.

MMPI inmate profiles: suicide completers, suicide attempters, and non‐suicidal controls

“…The higher scores obtained by both completers and attempters on the Mf scale is in keeping with what has been observed in previous studies (Kincel, 1983;Leonard, 1977;Waters et al, 1982;Watson et al, 1984). However, the scores on other scales are more surprising, as they suggest that attempters are more pathological than the others.…”

“…Although better results have been obtained in this regard, they nevertheless remain inconsistent (Clopton, 1978;Clopton & Baucom, 1979;Clopton & Jones, 1975;Clopton, Pallis, & Birtchnell, 1979;Clopton, Post, & Larde, 1983;Eyman & Eyman, 1991;Greene, 1988;Leonard, 1977;Stancak, Fraenkel, & Jassova, 1983;Waters et al, 1982). This could be due to the variety of samples used and to their respective heterogeneity, especially as regards gender (see Leonard, 1977), to the varying interval between MMPI administration and the suicidal acts (Clopton et al, 1983), and to the definition of the suicidal acts themselves (Watson et al, 1984).…”

“…High scores on the Mf or Pd scale (Kincel, 1983) or only on the Mf scale (Leonard, 1977;Waters, Sendbuehler, Kincel, & Boodoosingh, 1982;Watson, Klett, Walters, & Vassar, 1984) have been found to be related to suicidal behavior, although these results have not always been replicated. For example, in the Kinsinger (1973) study, the Mf scale was the only one not to discriminate among the groups.…”

Dimensions of perfectionism and suicide ideation

“…The findings of that study may have been influenced somewhat by the use of measures that have questionable psychometric characteristics. For instance, the outcome measure was the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMP[) Suicide Threat Scale which some have suggested may not be valid (Clopton, 1978;Waters, Sendbuehler, Kincel, Boodoosingh, & Marchenko, 1982). Moreover, the measure of hopelessness was simply a 4-point rating of pessimism, rather than a standard measure of the construct.…”

Use Of The MMPI And Its Derived Scales With Sex Offenders: I. Reliability and Validity Studies

“…The highly suicidal and suicide completions were not significantly different but had lower K and Overcontrolled Hostility (OH) scores and higher Mf and D scores. Waters, et al (1982) also found that suicidal behavior was associated with significant Mf elevations above normal limits but the MMPI scores measured other factors than recent suicidal behavior. The MMPI did not satisfactorily distinguish suicidal and nonsuicidal depressed cases.…”