Efficacy of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory–II in Discriminating Mental Health Patients With and Without Suicidal Ideation

A total of 42 mental health clinic patients with suicidal idweation and 89 patients without suicidal ideation were administered the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory–II (MCMI–II; Millon, 1987 Millon, T. (1987). Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI–II) manual. Minneapolis, MN: National Computer Systems. [Google Scholar]). All participants were active duty military personnel. A total of 15 MCMI–II scale elevations were significantly different between the 2 groups. A pair of discriminant analyses, the 1st utilizing all 25 MCMI–II scales, and the 2nd with only the 13 MCMI–II personality scales, produced correct classification rates of 80.92% and 75.57%, respectively. A total of 6 of 7 MCMI–II “suicide” items significantly differentiated suicidal ideation and nonsuicidal ideation groups. Results of this study offer initial support for the utility of the MCMI–II as a potential screening device for suicidal ideation.