THE MODIFIED SCALE FOR SUICIDAL IDEATION - FACTORS OF SUICIDALITY ANDTHEIR RELATION TO CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC VARIABLES

The authors conducted the ist large-sample factor-analytic study of th e modified Scale for Suicidal Ideation (MSSI; I. W. Miller, W.H. Norma n, S. B. Bishop, & M. G. Dow, 1986) on a sample of 330 suicidal young adults. Factor analyses revealed 2 MSSI factors: Suicidal Desire and I deation (ongoing thoughts or desires about suicide) and Resolved Plans and Preparation (intense thoughts, plans, and courage and capability to commit suicide). The Resolved Plans and Preparation faster was more related to Attempt versus Ideator status than was the Suicidal Desire and Ideation factor. The Suicidal Desire and Ideation factor was more highly related to depressotypic indicators than was the other factor, suggesting that level of depression, although predictive of ideation, may not be as strong a correlate: of preparation. Comparison of depre ssion- and anxiety-related diagnostic groups on the MSSI factors revea led little difference, consistent with previous work highlighting the occurrence of suicidality across diagnostic groups. These findings hav e implications for the structure of suicidality, as well as its clinic al assessment.