Does the Fact that a Client has Failed to Provide Requested Information Predict Severity of Suicidal Thinking?: A Criterion Validity Study of Missing Client Information

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the validity of missing information on a client background questionnaire as an indicator of suicidal thinking. Method: Four hundred six responses on a client background questionnaire and on the Multi-Problem Screening Inventory were obtained and analyses conducted to test the relationship between missing client information on the background questionnaire and the severity of suicidal ideation. Results: Results suggested that missing information on education, income, and/or number of persons living with the respondent were valid indicators of the severity of suicidal thinking and that the relationship between depression and severity of suicidal ideation, and between aggression and severity of suicidal ideation, may be stronger for clients who fail to report their income than for those who do. Conclusion: Missing information on intake forms may be useful as both an early screening tool for suicidal thinking and as important information when conducting in-depth suicide risk assessments.