Agreement between self- and clinician-rated suicidal symptoms in a clinical sample of young adults: Explaining discrepancies

This study compared self- versus clinician-rated suicide assessment among p articipants referred for suicidal ideation or behavior, with emphasis on un derstanding self- versus clinician-rated discrepancies. A total of 328 part icipants in a suicide-treatment project completed baseline measures of symp toms and personality (including self-report and clinician-rated indexes of suicidality), and portions of the sample completed follow-up assessments at 6, 12, and 18 months. A high rate of discrepancy between self- and clinici an ratings of suicidality Was noted; the nature of this discrepancy was suc h that clinicians were likely to see patients as high in suicidality, where as patients were less likely to see themselves as such. Data on future symp toms indicated that patients' self-ratings contained considerable probative value. Variables such as history of previous attempts and histrionic perso nality style may help explain self- versus clinician-rated discrepancies.