Psychological Characteristics of Patients in Depression with High Suicide Risk: Using MMPI-2-RF

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not MMPI-2-RF can be used as a useful tool to differentiate between the subtypes of high suicide risk among patients with depression.Methods Patients were recruited from the department of psychiatry at a university hospital. Participants were diagnosed using DSM-5 criteria by board certified psychiatrists. Their medical records were reviewed, and participants were put into three groups (Depression with suicide attempt, Depression with suicide ideation, and Normal as a control group). For statistical comparison, MANCOVA with gender as a covariate was used.Results Similar to pervious research, the two Depression groups with high suicide risk showed significantly higher Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction, Negative Emotionally/Neuroticism-Revised, Demoralization, Dysfunctional Negative Emotions, Suicidal/Death Ideation, Helplessness/ Hopelessness, Self-Doubt, Stress/Worry, and Cognitive complaints than the normal group. In the Depression with suicide attempt group, Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction scales were significantly higher than the Depression with suicide ideation group. ConclusionThe results show the significant prediction of MMPI-2-RF scales for suicide risk. Severity of mental pain (EID) and impulsive acting-out tendency of mental pain (BXD) were identified as important psychological characteristics of depression patients with suicide risk. The limitations of this study and suggested directions for future research are also discussed.