The Criterion Validity of Omitted Client Information as an Indicator of Suicide Risk: A Partial Replication

Abstract

The purpose of the research reported in this article was to replicate findings reported by Nugent and Williams-Hayes that suggested that there is a relationship between missing information on demographic items found on client intake forms and severity of suicidal ideation. Replication of these results would have important implications for social work practitioners. A secondary analysis of 153 sets of responses to measures from a previous study was conducted to test 3 hypotheses concerning the relationship between suicidal potential and failure to report income on a demographic questionnaire. The results partially replicated those of Nugent and Williams-Hayes and provided further evidence of a relationship between missing information on an intake-like form and suicidal thinking. These findings support the use of omitted information on client intake forms as predictors of suicidal ideation by social work practitioners and other professionals in a variety of practice settings.