Utility of the MCMI-II in assessing suicide risk

The MCMI-II profiles of 40 psychiatric inpatients admitted for suicidal ideation and 40 patients admitted for a suicide attempt were compared. Subjects in each group were matched on sex, history of previous attempts, and other demographic variables. While the results indicate very few differences between the MCMI-II profiles of these two groups of patients, suicide attemptors scored significantly higher on Scale Y (Desirability), which suggests greater tendencies toward denial of problem areas. Patients with suicidal ideation yielded a mean profile with elevations on Scale 2 (Avoidant), 8A (Passive-Aggressive), 8B (Self-Defeating), C (Borderline), D (Dysthymia), and Z (Debasement). These results are discussed in terms of a stress-vulnerability model of suicidal behavior with suggestions made for expanding on the findings in future studies.