Predicting Adolescent Suicidal Behavior and the Order of Rorschach Measurement

A total of 48 psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents were divided into four groups according to the sequence of suicidal behavior and measurement: (a) Previous Attempt Only, (b) Unit Attempt Only, (c) Dual Attempt, and (d) Nonsuicidal Control. A composite Rorschach Multiple Sign score was tabulated for each subject. An analysis of variance applied to the composite Rorschach scores was significant beyond the .001 level, with all suicide groups differing from the Control. It was determined that the sequence of assessment was not a significant factor. A cutoff score of four signs was identified as a predictor of suicidal behavior. None of the individual signs proved to differ significantly among the four groups.