Detecting suicidal risk using MMPI-2 based on machine learning algorithm

Sci Rep. 2021 Jul 28;11(1):15310. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-94839-5.

Abstract

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) is a widely used tool for early detection of psychological maladjustment and assessing the level of adaptation for a large group in clinical settings, schools, and corporations. This study aims to evaluate the utility of MMPI-2 in assessing suicidal risk using the results of MMPI-2 and suicidal risk evaluation. A total of 7,824 datasets collected from college students were analyzed. The MMPI-2-Resturcutred Clinical Scales (MMPI-2-RF) and the response results for each question of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) suicidality module were used. For statistical analysis, random forest and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) techniques were used with suicidal ideation and suicide attempt as dependent variables and 50 MMPI-2 scale scores as predictors. On applying the random forest method to suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts, the accuracy was 92.9% and 95%, respectively, and the Area Under the Curves (AUCs) were 0.844 and 0.851, respectively. When the KNN method was applied, the accuracy was 91.6% and 94.7%, respectively, and the AUCs were 0.722 and 0.639, respectively. The study confirmed that machine learning using MMPI-2 for a large group provides reliable accuracy in classifying and predicting the subject's suicidal ideation and past suicidal attempts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Area Under Curve
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MMPI*
  • Machine Learning*
  • Male
  • ROC Curve
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Suicide / psychology*
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology
  • Young Adult