Premium
Semantic differential ratings of concepts and suicide intent
Author(s) -
Wetzel Richard D.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/1097-4679(197601)32:1<4::aid-jclp2270320102>3.0.co;2-h
Subject(s) - psychology , semantic differential , differential (mechanical device) , poison control , injury prevention , human factors and ergonomics , suicide prevention , clinical psychology , occupational safety and health , cognitive psychology , medical emergency , developmental psychology , medicine , pathology , engineering , aerospace engineering
Ninety-four Ss (28 attempters, 32 threateners and 34 psychiatric controls) rated 10 concepts twice 1 month apart. Extreme rating scores and factor (attitude) scores were derived from the ratings. Suicidal Ss made no more use of extreme ratings than did control Ss. Highly suicidal Ss did not differ from less suicidal Ss in extremeness of ratings. Suicidal Ss did report less favorable attitudes to the concepts life and myself and more favorable attitudes toward suicide. Highly suicidal Ss could be differentiated from less suicidal Ss on these concepts. Contrary to the theory of Neuringer and Lettieri, it was suggested that suicidal Ss do not show a general difference in cognitive style from other psychiatric patients. Concept rated and direction of rating are crucial. Significant changes in ratings occurred over time in conjunction with hopelessness, depression and self-rated suicide intent. It was suggested that these changes indicate that the ratings are a function of a state, rather than a stable trait.