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