CLINICAL UTILITY OF THE MMPI-A CONTENT SCALES AND HARRIS-LINGOES SUBSCALES IN THE ASSESSMENT OF SUICIDAL RISK-FACTORS IN PSYCHIATRIC ADOLESCENTS

This study of 143 inpatient adolescents (68 boys and 75 girls) investi gated the clinical utility of the MMPI-A in assessing suicidal risk fa ctors by examining the unique contribution of the content scales and H arris-Lingoes subscales beyond what is provided by the basic clinical scales. The results of the regression analyses indicated that for boys . the Depression, Psychopathic Deviate, and Hypomania scales: Alienati on and Anxiety content scales: and Subjective Depression. Self Alienat ion. Imperturbability, and Amorality Harris-Lingoes subscales contribu ted significantly to the prediction of suicide probability. For girls, the Depression, Psychopathic Deviate. and Hypomania scales: Family Pr oblems. Conduct Problems. School Problems. Depression. and Social Disc omfort content scales; and the Subjective Depression. Self Alienation. Psychomotor Acceleration. and Imperturbability Harris-Lingoes subscal es contributed significantly to the prediction of suicide probability. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.