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.