Social desirability scales and theories of suicide: Correlations with alienation and self-consciousness

Edwards but not Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability scores influence the predictability of suicidal intent. If this effect occurs because the Edwards Scale records a substantive trait rather than a response set, then it should display predictable associations with variables that are relevant to theories of suicide. In line with the work of Durkheim (Suicide, 1897/1951) and Baumeister (Psychological Review, 97, 90–113 1990), the present studies revealed that Edwards and Marlowe-Crowne scales correlated with greater social integration, healthier self-functioning, and reduced self-consciousness. Many of these outcomes were more robust for the Edwards Scale, but the Edwards Scale also was more internally reliable. Overall, these data supported the Durkheimian conclusion that if certain forms of suicide result from societyʹs insufficient influence on the individual, then social desirability scales may operationalize societyʹs sufficient representation within the personality.