ARRIVE Together: A Qualitative Process Evaluation of the New Jersey State Police Co-responding Pilot Program.

Law enforcement personnel are often first to respond to calls involving behavioral health emergencies. However, encounters with law enforcement are more dangerous and lethal for people with behavioral health conditions. Co-responding models, wherein law enforcement and behavioral health professionals respond to calls together, are among the top programs developed to improve responding to behavioral health crises. The current study describes a qualitative process evaluation of a co-responding pilot program in New Jersey: "Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence & Escalation" (ARRIVE Together). The evaluation centered on the experience of the co-responding team as to their perceptions of specific deployments and of the program implementation overall. Semi-structured interviews were conducted following 10 consecutive encounters (three interviews per encounter; February-March 2022). Transcripts were transcribed and thematically analyzed by two trained researchers independently. Once thematically analyzed, researchers determined a consensus and developed a SWOT analysis report. Thematic analysis produced six major themes: communication, staffing, training, resources, community outreach, and deployments with minors. Overall, participants were enthusiastic about the program, but they shared numerous observations about ways in which the program could be improved. Sample size, the brief follow-up window, and lack of generalizability to other contexts were among the most limiting factors. Further research should include an effectiveness evaluation and extend to urban and suburban communities and communities of color. Future research should also explore after-response affects including accessibility to follow-up care. The current study gives insight into piloting a co-responding model for approaching behavioral health crisis calls.

The impact of different neurobehavioral symptoms on suicidal ideation and perceived likelihood of future suicidality.

Existing literature suggests that psychological and functional impairment, independent of head injury severity, can increase suicide risk. This study explores the impacts of self-perceived dysfunction within four neurobehavioral symptom clusters-vestibular (e.g., dizziness, balance), somatosensory (e.g., headaches, nausea, vision), affective (e.g., anxious, irritable mood), and cognitive (e.g., concentration, memory, indecision)-on current suicidal ideation and the perceived likelihood of future suicidal ideation and attempts. Community participants (n = 309; Mage = 36.88; 51.6% female; 79.6% White) completed the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI) and the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors-Short Form (SITBI-SF). Quantile regression analysis was used to explore the effects of the four neurobehavioral symptom clusters at different levels of suicidal ideation intensity, perceived likelihood of future suicidal ideation, and self-perceived likelihood of future suicide attempt. Controlling for past head injuries and suicide attempts, affective symptoms were significantly associated with a moderate and high average intensity of current suicidal ideation. Somatosensory symptoms were significantly associated with a moderate perceived likelihood of future suicidal ideation. Finally, vestibular symptoms were significantly associated with a moderate perceived likelihood of a future suicide attempt. These findings highlight the critical need to consider a broader spectrum of symptoms, including chronic physical symptoms, when assessing suicide risk. Furthermore, they underscore the need to expand beyond affective symptoms as an explanation for increased suicidality and examine additional mechanisms through which chronic physical symptoms can increase suicide risk.

Psychometric Properties of the MMPI-3 in a Sample of Black and White American Undergraduate Students: Examining Group Differences and Convergent/Discriminant Validity with the ASEBA Adult Self-Report.

The current study examined MMPI-3 internal and external psychometric properties with a focus on the impact of racialized group membership (Black and White Americans). The second aim was to examine convergent/discriminant MMPI-3 scale associations with a different broadband, hierarchical self-report assessment tool [Adult Self-Report (ASR)]. Consistent with findings on prior MMPI iterations, we expected to observe no clinically meaningful mean differences on MMPI-3 scale T-scores. We hypothesized that validity coefficients between MMPI-3 and ASR scales measuring similar constructs would be stronger (convergent validity) and the inverse for scales measuring disparate constructs (discriminant validity). We also expected coefficient magnitude consistency across racial groups. The final sample was composed of 254 undergraduates (74.4% female; 63.8% White, 36.2% Black). Results suggest 1) MMPI-3 substantive scale mean T-scores are comparable between White and Black American undergraduates; 2) MMPI-3 scales correlate with ASR scale scores in expected ways with regard to internalizing problems, rule breaking and impulsivity, thought problems, and substance use (but not overall externalizing, aggression, attention problems, and intrusiveness); and 3) convergent and discriminant associations between MMPI-3 and ASR scales are consistent across White and Black Americans. This work provides support for MMPI-3 use with racially diverse individuals, considers next steps for understanding MMPI-3 scale score functioning in diverse populations, and provides novel information on MMPI-3 correspondence with the ASR.

Evaluating Measures of Externalizing Personality Pathology Traits in Black and White American Adolescents in a Program for at-Risk Youths.

Adolescent personality assessment measures can aid in the identification of traits that are associated with various types of maladjustment. Externalizing personality pathology traits (e.g., antisocial, borderline, and narcissistic personality disorder features) are particularly relevant for many problematic outcomes, yet measures that assess these traits have not been validated extensively in diverse samples. The present study aimed to examine the properties of measures of externalizing personality pathology traits in a sample of White (n = 184) and Black (n = 99) adolescents participating in a residential program for at-risk youth. The fit of the proposed structure for these measures was tested in the sample as a whole and in each racial group separately. Associations between these measures and the count of disciplinary infractions received while in the program were also tested. Measures were found to have less than optimal fit in this sample, especially among Black adolescents. Suggestions for future research and clinical use of these measures are discussed.

An Examination of the Treatment Utility of the MMPI-2-RF: Prediction of Post-Treatment Depressive Symptoms and Increased Understanding of the Therapeutic Alliance in an Inpatient Mood Disorder Treatment.

The study examined the ability of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) substantive scales to predict depressive symptoms in a psychiatric inpatient setting. The indirect effect of patient-rated alliance with their treatment team on these relationships was also investigated. Participants included 678 (52.5% female, 97.1% White) inpatients diagnosed with a mood disorder. MMPI-2-RF scales, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) at intake and discharge, and Working Alliance Inventory-Short at discharge were used to test study hypotheses regarding MMPI-2-RF predictive utility and the influence of alliance. Jacobson and Truax's (1991) reliable change index (RCI) was calculated to identify those who did (74% of the sample) and did not (24%) make reliable and clinically significant depressive symptom change, and the predictive utility of MMPI-2-RF scores in distinguishing these groups was examined. MMPI-2-RF scales assessing internalizing and somatic dysfunction accounted for an additional 2% to 8% of the variance in depressive symptoms reported at discharge, above and beyond depressive symptoms reported at intake. Somatic scales were also able to differentiate groups based on clinically significant change on the PHQ-9 (small-sized effect). The relationship between MMPI-2-RF scales and depressive symptoms at discharge was indirect through alliance in 64% of models. Clinical implications are discussed.

Preferences for a potential therapist's suicide lived experience and use of therapy.

The present study is an examination of laypersons' preferences regarding therapists with lived mental health experiences. Specifically, we investigated participants' preferences for a treatment with a therapist who has sought personal therapy, experienced suicidal ideation, or made a suicide attempt. Additionally, we explored how participants' personal experiences may impact these preferences. Three hundred ninety-eight community members were recruited to complete an online survey through Amazon's Mechanical Turk. Participants completed delayed discounting paradigms which involve choices between a therapist with the experience (e.g., suicidal ideation) and a therapist without the experience providing treatment with varied levels of therapeutic efficacy (i.e., average percentage of client recovery). Overall, participants were willing to lose therapeutic efficacy in order to work with a therapist who has not been in prior mental health treatment (9.36% efficacy loss), experienced suicidal ideation (19.43% efficacy loss), and engaged in suicide attempts (20.18% efficacy loss). Across these therapist options, the strongest preference was for therapists with prior treatment compared to the other two conditions. Preferences differed somewhat depending on the participant's social stigma, history of suicide attempts, and prior suicidal ideation; however, these effects were small in size. Overall, participants preferred less effective therapists without a history of personal therapy, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts, compared to more effective therapists with a history of these experiences. Findings from this study highlight the pervasiveness of negative attitudes toward suicidal thoughts and behaviors and lived experience. If replicable, these results emphasize a need for destigmatization of these experiences in mental health care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessing the clinical utility of MMPI-2-RF interpersonal theory of suicide proxy indices in psychiatric hospitalization setting.

INTRODUCTION: The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008/2011) has been applied to suicide risk assessment through derived proxy indices of perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and the acquired capability for suicide (Anestis et al., 2018, Joiner, 2005). However, limited research has examined the clinical utility of these proxy indices outside the outpatient setting. This study examined the performance of these proxy indices in identifying past-month suicide ideation intensity and attempts upon admission to a psychiatric inpatient program and changes in suicidal ideation intensity at discharge. We expected these indices and their interaction would be associated with suicide ideation intensity and attempts at baseline and with a lack of significant improvement in suicide ideation intensity at discharge, including when controlling for MMPI-2-RF Suicide/Death Ideation (SUI) scale scores. METHOD: Participants were 1007 patients in a private inpatient psychiatric hospital in the southwestern United States, 968 of whom completed study measures at admission and discharge. Participants were administered the C-SSRS and MMPI-2-RF upon admission, while the C-SSRS was administered again prior to discharge. A series of moderation analyses were conducted to examine the main and interaction effects of the MMPI-2-RF derived proxy indices on suicidal ideation intensity and suicide attempts at admission. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine whether MMPI-2-RF proxy index scores at admission were associated with changes in suicidal ideation intensity at discharge. RESULTS: Neither the proxy indices nor their interaction was associated with all study outcomes. The acquired capability for suicide proxy index and its interaction with other indices were not associated with suicide attempt status at admission. However, high thwarted belongingness proxy index scores were associated with greater suicidal ideation intensity at admission; high perceived burdensomeness proxy index scores were indicative of a lack of significant change in suicide ideation intensity at discharge. CONCLUSION: These results indicate a need to further examine these proxy indices in high acuity samples.

Mental Health Treatment Seeking and History of Suicidal Thoughts Among Suicide Decedents by Mechanism, 2003-2018.

Importance: Understanding mental health and substance use treatment seeking and suicidality among suicide decedents is important to determine prevention efforts. Objective: To evaluate differences in treatment seeking and suicidality between suicide decedents who died by firearms and those who died by other methods. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional data were collected on 234 652 suicide decedents from 2003 to 2018. Participant information was reported by their state of residence to the National Violent Death Reporting System. Statistical analysis was performed from July 1, 2021, to January 21, 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures: Main outcomes were treatment for mental health and substance use at time of death, previous treatment for mental health and substance use, history of suicidal ideation or plans, history of suicide attempts, and disclosure of suicidal ideation or plans. Results: A total of 234 652 participants (182 520 male [77.8%]; 205 966 White [87.8%]; mean [SD] age, 46.3 [18.2] years [range, 3-112 years]) were included in this study. Compared with suicide decedents who died by another method (n = 117 526 [50.1%]), those who died by firearm (n = 117 126 [49.9%]) were more likely to have disclosed thoughts or plans of suicide within the month prior to death (odds ratio [OR], 1.16 [95% CI, 1.13-1.18]) and were less likely to have previously attempted suicide (OR, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.43-0.46]). Compared with those who died by poisoning, those who used a firearm were more likely to have had a history of suicidal thoughts or plans (OR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.15-1.23]) and to have disclosed their thoughts or plans of suicide within the month prior to death (OR, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.03-1.10]). Compared with those who died by hanging, those who used a firearm were more likely to have disclosed their thoughts or plans of suicide to another person within the month prior to their death (OR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.11-1.17]). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings provide information that suggests who is at risk to die by firearm suicide. Community-based interventions in suicide prevention could help reduce access to firearms during a time of crisis. The finding that firearm suicide decedents were more likely to disclose their suicidal thoughts or plans provides an important avenue for prevention.

MMPI-3 scale predictors of reactions to ostracism in a sample of racially diverse college students.

We examined the ability of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) scales to predict reflexive reactions to rejection elicited via a Cyberball task. In an effort to expand the criterion-related and incremental validity knowledge of the MMPI-3, we specifically focused on scale associations with the following adverse reflexive reactions: feelings of rejection, low positive and high negative affect, and high perceived threats to social needs. We hypothesized 10 substantive scales that assess negative emotionality, self-esteem, paranoia, and interpersonal difficulties to be positively associated with these adverse reactions, while we expected four scales indicative of interpersonal antagonism to be inversely related. The sample included 180 undergraduate students (80.6% female, 17.2% male; 59.5% White, 40.5% people of color), and analyses were conducted using the full sample and race-based subsamples. Results partially supported hypotheses, most notably in the case of indicators of mood/negative emotionality, Self-Doubt, and Self-Importance. Results were largely consistent across race-based subsamples with some notable exceptions. Our findings provide support for the validity of the MMPI-3 scales and their ability to assess reactions to an interpersonal stressor via a behavioral paradigm. Limitations (e.g., reliance on college student sample) and future directions (e.g., need for replication with larger samples) are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Preferences regarding therapists' history of personal therapy or suicidal ideation: A comparison of undergraduates and mental healthcare providers.

A majority of mental health care providers seek personal therapy (i.e., are prosumers), and many providers experience suicidal ideation. Although mental health care providers may have more awareness of mental health than undergraduates, stigma is prevalent across both mental health care professionals and within universities. Furthermore, suicidality is a particularly stigmatized aspect of mental health. Stigma may affect a client's willingness to work with therapists who are prosumers. Although client preferences have implications for treatment engagement, retention, and outcomes (Swift & Callahan, 2009, 2010; Swift, Callahan, & Vollmer, 2011), we are unaware of any research that considers clients' preferences regarding a prosumer therapist. The current study used a delay discounting paradigm to compare undergraduates' and mental health care providers' preferences of a prosumer therapist (i.e., with or without prior treatment history or prior suicidal ideation). We hypothesized that mental health care providers would be more accepting of a prosumer therapist, compared to undergraduates. Across both samples we expected a therapist with prior personal therapy to be more preferred than a therapist who has experienced prior suicidal ideation. Results were as expected, which may indicate a greater degree of mental health stigma among undergraduates compared to the mental health profession and greater stigma toward suicide in comparison to therapy experience in general. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessing Physical Pain Perception and Psychological Distress Tolerance through the MMPI-2-RF: A Comparison of Multimethod Measures.

While transdiagnostic factors are important domains in clinical assessment and treatment, there is little research to link such constructs to widely accepted and utilized broadband assessments such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, 2nd edition - Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF). A handful of studies suggest the ability of the MMPI-2-RF scales to capture variance in transdiagnostic constructs; however, this literature relies solely on self-report criterion measures, despite evidence that self-report and behaviorally-indexed correlates of psychopathology may measure varied aspects of the intended construct and can often yield differing results. The current study investigated MMPI-2-RF scales' ability to assess two widely examined transdiagnostic constructs, distress tolerance and pain perception, across both self-report and behavioral indicators. The sample included 115 undergraduate students who completed a valid MMPI-2-RF and multimethod measures of pain perception and distress tolerance. The results aligned with prior research in areas of internalizing symptoms, psychopathy, and suicide risk factors in self-report, but not behaviorally-based, assessment. Implications of this inconsistency, the association between clinical assessment and transdiagnostic constructs, and the heterogeneity of the distress tolerance and pain perception constructs are discussed.

Dispositional characteristics in firearm ownership and purchasing behavior during the 2020 purchasing surge.

RATIONALE: In 2020 the U.S. saw a firearm purchasing surge that was synchronous with the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic and notable community unrest. Extant literature has highlighted a potential cohort effect among 2020 firearm purchasers and the importance of characterizing these individuals to inform policy and interventions. Dispositional traits have received minimal attention in the firearm literature overall, despite research that indicates dispositional traits impact intervention interest, access, and effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: The current study examined two dispositional traits indicated as important in firearm research - threat sensitivity (THT) and disinhibition (DIS). We hypothesized that 1) firearm owners overall would have lower THT and higher DIS relative to non-firearm owners, 2) mean levels of DIS (but not THT) would be higher among firearm owners who purchased during the 2020 purchasing surge relative to firearm owners who did not and non-firearm owners, and 3) DIS (but not THT) would be related to future plans for purchasing such that mean levels of DIS would be highest amongst those who have plans. METHODS: This study used an online-recruited sample (N = 3500) matched to 2010 US Census data. RESULTS: Firearm owners demonstrated lower THT and higher DIS than non-firearm owners. 2020 firearm purchasers had higher DIS compared to non-firearm owners and non-purchasing firearm owners, while firearm owners who did not purchase had lower THT compared to non-owners and 2020 purchasers. Plans to purchase in the next 12 months was associated with higher DIS relative to those undecided or without plans. CONCLUSIONS: In combination with prior research, findings suggest elevated DIS may drive purchasing as a danger and distress management strategy, while low THT may protect against emotion-based firearm purchasing. Further research is needed to clarify the directionality of these relationships and to identify other dispositional characteristics of those purchasing firearms in 2020.

Predicting suicide attempt history in a psychiatric inpatient sample: A replication and extension.

Stanley et al. (Psychological Assessment, 2018, 20, 1249) examined Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form: Manual for administration, scoring, and interpretation, 2008/2011, University of Minnesota Press) profile configurations to predict which individuals engage in suicidal behavior using an outpatient psychiatric sample. Their results revealed that an interaction of overarousal [Hypomanic Activation (RC9) or Activation (ACT)] and shutdown [Demoralization (RCd)] indicators predicted increased history of suicide attempts. The purpose of the present study was to replicate and extend these results to a psychiatric inpatient sample in order to determine their generalizability to a clinically severe, at-risk population. The present study examined 581 valid MMPI-2-RF protocols of adult psychiatric inpatients who endorsed any level of suicide ideation on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS; Posner et al., The American Journal of Psychiatry, 2011, 168, 1266) in the 2 weeks prior to admission. Results revealed that in four of the six models tested, shutdown (Low Positive Emotions [RC2], Helplessness/Hopelessness [HLP]) but not overactivation (RC9, ACT) indicators provided an additional prediction of suicide attempt history beyond Suicidal/Death Ideation (SUI) and the covariates. The two models containing RCd did not provide additional predictive value above Suicidal/Death Ideation (SUI) with main effects or interaction terms. Overall, our results do not replicate those of Stanley et al. (Psychological Assessment, 2018, 20, 1249). Furthermore, while SUI was the best predictor of a history of suicide attempts, results indicate the main effects of RC2 and HLP were negative predictors of prior suicide attempts. Limitations of the study and clinical implications of the results are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Underreporting on the MMPI-2-RF extends to extra-test measures of suicide risk.

Detection of underreporting in suicide risk assessment remains a significant concern in clinical practice. The aim of this research is to examine whether underreporting based on elevated Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF) K-r and L-r scale scores may aid in identifying patients with suppressed scores on the Suicide/Death Ideation scale (SUI) and extra-test measures of suicide risk. We anticipated that, in voluntarily admitted psychiatric inpatients (N = 1,011) and individuals receiving outpatient services in a university-affiliated psychology clinic (N = 521), those indicated as underreporting would produce lower mean scores across SUI and extra-test measures of suicide risk, and that the magnitudes of the associations between SUI and extra-test scores would be strongest for those underreporting. A series of t tests and correlational analyses were conducted in both samples. Although those classified as underreporting consistently produced lower mean scores for SUI and extra-test measures of suicide risk, the magnitudes of the associations were consistently significant and stronger only in outpatients without K-r or L-r scale elevations. Clinical implications for this research include examining K-r elevations when assessing suicide risk and incorporating a therapeutic assessment approach to suicide risk assessment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Expectations and Preferences for Psychotherapy Among African American and White Young Adults.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined beliefs, expectations, and preferences related to mental health problems and treatment in a sample of young adults who are in a developmental period when many types of psychopathology emerge. Prior studies on this topic have primarily included samples that are older and predominately White. It is not clear whether results from that research generalize to diverse samples of young adults. METHODS: Participants were 370 undergraduate students (41.3% African American; 76.5% female) who completed questionnaires about expectations and preferences for psychotherapy and therapists. RESULTS: Findings regarding racial differences include African Americans having less experience with mental health services and different goals for psychotherapy than did Whites. Additionally, African Americans, relative to Whites, demonstrated stronger preferences for couple, family, and group psychotherapy, a male therapist their same race, and a therapist who is assertive and structured in session. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide information about young adults' perceptions, expectations, and preferences related to mental health problems and psychotherapy. Findings suggest some barriers to treatment that might be addressed to improve treatment engagement and utilization of psychological services among young adults in general and among African American young adults specifically.

The Validity of the Personality Assessment Inventory-Adolescent in Assessing Callous-Unemotional Traits in At-Risk Adolescents.

This study examines the validity of the Personality Assessment Inventory-Adolescent (PAI-A; Morey) in assessing callous-unemotional (CU) traits within two independent samples of at-risk adolescents from a residential intervention program. The study tests the extent to which CU traits are represented within PAI-A scales with respect to empirically- or theoretically-related indicators, such as antisociality, aggression, low warmth, low social connectedness, and subdued internalizing psychopathology. The PAI-A substantive scales statistically accounted for an average of 55.0% of the variance in total scores on the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional Traits (ICU; Frick) across samples. Broadly, PAI-A substantive scales evinced theoretically-consistent relations with CU traits. Consistent with expectations, CU traits were broadly related to PAI-A-assessed constructs of antisocial features, aggression, low warmth and social disconnection, but not to subdued internalizing symptoms. Moreover, some of the PAI-A clinical, treatment consideration, and interpersonal scales or subscales demonstrated differential relations across the traits. Implications for assessment of CU traits using the PAI framework are discussed. Overall, this research adds to the literature on CU traits in broadband personality assessment and provides a foundation for future research on CU traits using the PAI-A.

Assessing the Clinical Utility of the MMPI-2-RF in Detecting Suicidal Ideation in a High Acuity, Partially-Hospitalized Veteran Sample.

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF; Ben-Porath & Tellegen, 2008/2011) has demonstrated utility in suicide risk assessment. Limited research with the MMPI-2-RF in higher acuity populations exists, particularly regarding the impact of possible underreporting on prediction of suicide risk. The current study serves to extend previous findings of the utility of clinically indicated MMPI-2-RF scales and proxy indices in 293 veterans (83.62% White, 85.32% male, and 74.40% with past-week suicide ideation) enrolled in a Veterans Affairs Medical Center partial psychiatric hospitalization program. Differences in self-report indicators and MMPI-2-RF scales and proxy indices relevant in assessing suicide ideation between veterans indicated as possibly underreporting and those who were not and the ability of the scales and proxy indices to predict current suicide ideation were examined. These indicators, scales, and proxy indices, with the exception of SUI, were significantly impacted by underreporting, and none of the examined scales or proxy indices (or their interaction) were consistently associated with self-reported suicide ideation after accounting for SUI. However, SUI was consistently associated with suicide ideation and was less influenced by under-reporting. In acutely ill psychiatric patients, SUI may be the most robust indicator of current suicide ideation.

Personality Assessment and Psychotherapy Preferences: Congruence between Client Personality and Therapist Personality Preferences.

Consideration of client preferences has been emphasized as important to therapeutic outcomes, such as treatment engagement and retention. Although studies have investigated several client and therapist characteristics associated with client preferences, few have considered whether people have preferences regarding a potential therapist's personality. The current study extended prior research on client preferences by examining the influence of participants' Big Five personality traits on preferences for therapist personality characteristics utilizing latent profile analysis. We expected congruence between client personality traits and preferred psychotherapist personality traits. In both undergraduate and community samples, results indicated that participants generally prefer a psychotherapist with personality characteristics similar to their own. Our findings establish the presence of preferences based on personality factors and have implications for future research directions and the role of personality assessment in routine clinical practice.

Suicide Ideation Among Male Prisoners: Preliminary Evidence That Psychopathic Traits are Indirectly Linked to Suicide Ideation Through Thwarted Interpersonal Needs.

BACKGROUND: The relation between psychopathic traits and suicide ideation (SI) is frequently discussed but little research has examined potential mechanisms underlying this association. The interpersonal theory of suicide (ITS) proposes two mechanisms in the pathogenesis of suicidal desire: thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB). This study cross-sectionally tested TB and PB as possible explanatory links in the relation between psychopathic traits and SI. METHOD: Archival data from 784 male U.K. prisoners (Mage  = 37.21, SD = 9.97) were analyzed using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Psychopathic traits were indirectly associated with SI through more specific suicide-promoting processes - namely TB and PB. More specifically, results indicated that Egocentricity and Stimulus Seeking were indirectly associated with SI through PB and TB in combination. However, results indicated specific indirect effects of TB in the relations between the Antisocial Behavior, Egocentricity, and Stimulus Seeking facets, and SI, whereas specific indirect effects for PB were only significant in the relations between Egocentricity and Stimulus Seeking facets and SI. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results are consistent with the ITS and suggest that psychopathic traits may be distal risk markers for SI and provide direction for future research that could inform suicide prevention efforts among male prisoners high in such traits.

Psychopathic Personality Traits in the Military: An Examination of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scales in a Novel Sample.

The Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale is a short, self-report measure initially developed to assess psychopathic traits in noninstitutionalized samples. The present study aimed to explore factor structure and convergent and discriminant validity of the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale in a large U.S. military sample (90.7% Army National Guard). Factor analytic data, regression, and correlational analyses point to the superiority of Brinkley, Diamond, Magaletta, and Heigel's three-factor model in this sample. Implications for theory and the study of psychopathic personality traits in a military sample are discussed.