Dimension of Seriousness in Attempted Suicide: Significance of the MF Scale in Suicidal MMPI Profiles

Abstract

Survivors of suicide (184) were classified clinically into serious, ambivalent, and gesture pre- and post-suicidal states. It was noted that the MMPI profile interpretation concurs with this classification and shows the Masculinity-Femininity trend. The profile interpretation makes use of the individual interscale relationships and actuarial profiles. The relationship with the psychiatric clinical diagnostic category is also necessary. The Masculinity-Femininity Scale is essential in MMPI profile interpretation and is significant in statistical terms in differentiating the serious (high risk) attempters from the other groups. The Masculinity-Femininity Scale in conjunction with intrapsychic factor indicators (Scales 2, 4, 6, 7, 8) contributes to the profile interpretation to such an extent that one can significantly differentiate suicidal from non-suicidal depressives, schizophrenics, and personality disorders. In qualitative terms, the Masculinity-Femininity Scale suggests that the serious suicide attempters are psychosexually maladjusted, lack self-confidence, and healthy self-esteem. This is due to a disturbance in their developmental characterological structure.