California Psychological Inventory Differences Between Undergraduate Suicide Ideators and Nonideators

In order to assess personality characteristics of suicide ideators, 46 college students were divided into two groups on the basis of whether they reported that they thought about suicide (n = 15) or not (N = 31). Although both groups were below norms on these items, as predicted, ideators were less healthy than nonideators in terms of dominance, social presence, responsibility, intellectual efficiency, and psychological mindedness. These personality weaknesses may lead to the hopelessness that is associated with suicidal ideations. (12 refs)