Description

The Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (MAST) is a multidimensional psychometric instrument developed to assess attitudes, beliefs, and tendencies associated with suicidal behavior. Unlike screening tools that focus exclusively on suicidal ideation or suicide risk, the MAST evaluates multiple cognitive, emotional, and behavioral dimensions underlying suicidal tendencies, providing a comprehensive understanding of both risk factors and protective attitudes. The instrument is widely used in clinical psychology, psychiatry, counseling, suicidology, educational psychology, and mental health research to identify individuals who may be vulnerable to suicidal behavior and to support early intervention and prevention efforts.

The MAST is based on the premise that suicidal behavior is influenced by multiple psychological dimensions rather than a single factor. Consequently, the scale evaluates both maladaptive attitudes that may increase suicide risk and adaptive attitudes that may protect against self-destructive behavior.

The questionnaire typically assesses several key dimensions, including:

  • Suicidal Ideation – the presence and intensity of thoughts related to death and suicide.
  • Attraction to Life – positive attitudes toward life, personal meaning, and future orientation, representing protective factors against suicide.
  • Attraction to Death – cognitive and emotional attraction toward death or dying.
  • Repulsion by Life – feelings of dissatisfaction, hopelessness, and emotional distress associated with life.
  • Emotional and Cognitive Vulnerability – psychological characteristics that may contribute to suicidal behavior, including hopelessness, helplessness, and negative thinking patterns.

The theoretical framework of the MAST integrates cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal models of suicide, recognizing that suicidal behavior emerges through complex interactions among psychological, emotional, social, and environmental factors.

Analysis and Use of Data

The MAST enables clinicians and researchers to quantitatively assess multidimensional attitudes toward suicide and investigate their relationships with psychological functioning, psychiatric symptoms, and psychosocial variables. The instrument is valuable for identifying both suicide risk factors and protective factors, facilitating comprehensive clinical assessment and evidence-based prevention strategies.

Statistical analyses commonly include:

  • Descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, medians, frequencies, and percentile distributions).
  • Reliability assessment using Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s Omega.
  • Construct validity evaluation through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).
  • Assessment of convergent and discriminant validity using instruments measuring suicidal ideation, hopelessness, depression, anxiety, psychological distress, resilience, quality of life, and emotional well-being.
  • Correlation analyses using Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlation coefficients.
  • Group comparisons using independent-samples t-tests, ANOVA, MANOVA, or appropriate non-parametric procedures.
  • Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of suicidal tendencies.
  • Mediation, moderation, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to investigate relationships among psychological variables associated with suicide risk.
  • Longitudinal analyses to evaluate changes in suicidal attitudes following psychological or psychiatric interventions.

The MAST is widely applied in:

  • Clinical psychology
  • Psychiatry
  • Suicidology
  • Counseling psychology
  • School and educational psychology
  • Community mental health
  • Public health research
  • Suicide prevention programs

Objective

The primary objective of the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (MAST) is to provide a reliable and valid assessment of multiple psychological attitudes associated with suicidal behavior, allowing healthcare professionals and researchers to identify individuals who may be at increased risk while simultaneously recognizing protective psychological factors.

More specifically, the questionnaire aims to:

  • Assess multidimensional attitudes toward suicide.
  • Evaluate suicidal thoughts and cognitive vulnerability.
  • Measure both suicide risk factors and protective factors.
  • Identify individuals requiring further psychological assessment.
  • Support suicide prevention and early intervention programs.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of psychological and psychiatric interventions.
  • Facilitate research on suicidal behavior and mental health.

Scoring

The Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (MAST) consists of a series of self-report statements rated using a Likert-type response scale, in which participants indicate the degree to which they agree with each statement. Depending on the version of the instrument, responses are typically scored on a five-point Likert scale, ranging from Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree.

Items are grouped into separate subscales representing different dimensions of suicidal attitudes. Scores are calculated by summing or averaging responses within each subscale and, where appropriate, across the entire instrument. Higher scores on risk-oriented subscales indicate stronger suicidal tendencies, whereas higher scores on protective subscales (such as Attraction to Life) indicate greater psychological resilience and lower suicide risk.

Psychometric evaluation of the MAST commonly includes:

  • Internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s Omega).
  • Test–retest reliability.
  • Construct validity.
  • Convergent and discriminant validity.
  • Factorial validity using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA).
  • Measurement invariance across age groups, sexes, cultures, and clinical populations.
  • Item analysis and corrected item–total correlations.

The MAST provides clinicians and researchers with a multidimensional profile of suicidal attitudes, supporting comprehensive psychological assessment and evidence-based suicide prevention initiatives.

References

Joiner, T. E. (2005). Why People Die by Suicide. Harvard University Press.

Orbach, I., Milstein, I., Har-Even, D., Apter, A., Tiano, S., & Elizur, A. (1991). A Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale for adolescents. Psychological Assessment, 3(3), 398–404.

Orbach, I., Mikulincer, M., Sirota, P., & Gilboa-Schechtman, E. (1998). Mental pain: A multidimensional operationalization and definition. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 28(3), 219–230.

Williams, J. M. G., & Pollock, L. R. (2000). The role of cognition in suicide. Clinical Psychology Review, 20(2), 239–257.

World Health Organization. (2021). LIVE LIFE: An implementation guide for suicide prevention in countries. World Health Organization.