OBJECTIVE: The factor structure of the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency (MAST) scale was examined using a sample of non-white South African adolescents. METHOD: The MAST scale was administered to 205 secondary school students between 13 and 20 years of age. RESULTS: The scale demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency with alpha values being in line with previous studies using the instrument. Factor analysis confirmed the original four-factor structure of the scale. Strong support was found for the Repulsion by Death (RD) and Attraction to Life (AL) subscales of the instrument, with moderate support for the Atttraction to Death (AD) and Repulsion by Life (RL) subscales. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that the generalisability of the MAST can be improved by the inclusion of more culturally relevant items.
OBJECTIVE: The factor structure of the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency (MAST) scale was examined using a sample of non-white South African adolescents. METHOD: The MAST scale was administered to 205 secondary school students between 13 and 20 years of age. RESULTS: The scale demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency with alpha values being in line with previous studies using the instrument. Factor analysis confirmed the original four-factor structure of the scale. Strong support was found for the Repulsion by Death (RD) and Attraction to Life (AL) subscales of the instrument, with moderate support for the Atttraction to Death (AD) and Repulsion by Life (RL) subscales. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that the generalisability of the MAST can be improved by the inclusion of more culturally relevant items.