Development and psychometric properties of the “Suicidality: Treatment Occurring in Paediatrics (STOP) Risk and Resilience Factors Scales” in adolescents

Abstract

Suicidality in the child and adolescent population is a major public health concern. There is, however, a lack of developmentally sensitive valid and reliable instruments that can capture data on risk, and clinical and psychosocial mediators of suicidality in young people. In this study, we aimed to develop and assess the validity of instruments evaluating the psychosocial risk and protective factors for suicidal behaviours in the adolescent population. In Phase 1, based on a systematic literature review of suicidality, focus groups, and expert panel advice, the risk factors and protective factors (resilience factors) were identified and the adolescent, parent, and clinician versions of the STOP-Suicidality Risk Factors Scale (STOP-SRiFS) and the Resilience Factors Scale (STOP-SReFS) were developed. Phase 2 involved instrument validation and comprised of two samples (Sample 1 and 2). Sample 1 consisted of 87 adolescents, their parents/carers, and clinicians from the various participating centres, and Sample 2 consisted of three sub-samples: adolescents (n = 259) who completed STOP-SRiFS and/or the STOP-SReFS scales, parents (n = 213) who completed one or both of the scales, and the clinicians who completed the scales (n = 254). The STOP-SRiFS demonstrated a good construct validity-the Cronbach Alpha for the adolescent (α = 0.864), parent (α = 0.842), and clinician (α = 0.722) versions of the scale. Test-retest reliability, inter-rater reliability, and content validity were good for all three versions of the STOP-SRiFS. The sub-scales generated using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) were the (1) anxiety and depression risk, (2) substance misuse risk, (3) interpersonal risk, (4) chronic risk, and (5) risk due to life events. For the STOP-SRiFS, statistically significant correlations were found between the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) total score and the adolescent, parent, and clinical versions of the STOP-SRiFS sub-scale scores. The STOP-SRiFS showed good psychometric properties. This study demonstrated a good construct validity for the STOP-SReFS-the Cronbach Alpha for the three versions were good (adolescent: α = 0.775; parent: α = 0.808; α = clinician: 0.808). EFA for the adolescent version of the STOP-SReFS, which consists of 9 resilience factors domains, generated two factors (1) interpersonal resilience and (2) cognitive resilience. The STOP-SReFS Cognitive Resilience sub-scale for the adolescent was negatively correlated (r = − 0.275) with the C-SSRS total score, showing that there was lower suicidality in those with greater Cognitive Resilience. The STOP-SReFS Interpersonal resilience sub-scale correlations were all negative, but none of them were significantly different to the C-SSRS total scores for either the adolescent, parent, or clinician versions of the scales. This is not surprising, because the items in this sub-scale capture a much larger timescale , compared to the C-SSRS rating period. The STOP-SReFS showed good psychometric properties. The STOP-SRiFS and STOP-SReFS are inst...

Suicide resilience: A concept analysis

“…The final step of this analysis is defining the empirical referents which can be used to measure the existence or attributes of the concept. In total, six specific instruments of suicide resilience were identified ( 16 , 17 , 34 , 47 , 61 , 65 ). The detail of each measure's information and involved attributes are shown in Table 3 .…”

Suicidality Treatment Occurring in Paediatrics (STOP) Medication Suicidality Side Effects Scale in young people in two cohorts across Europe

“…The general methodology of developing the STOP suite of questionnaires has previously been described 17 18. In brief, the development of the STOP-MS 3 scale followed the recommendations of the FDA for PROMs 23.…”

“…Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are instruments that collect health outcomes based on self/proxy assessments and have been promoted across primary care for monitoring of common mental health disorders, including suicidal ideation and behaviour 17. As part of the STOP study, we have previously developed PROMs for a Suicidality Assessment Scale (SAS) that specifically assesses suicidality in children and/or adolescents,17 and the STOP-Risk and Resilience Scales 18. We have also developed the Profile Of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms scale that captures symptoms of developmental disorders, disruptive disorders, emerging personality disorders and anxiety/depressive disorders 19…”

Development and Psychometric Properties of the Multi-System Profile of Symptoms Scale in Patients with Rett Syndrome

“…The HealthTracker TM is an established web-based health monitoring platform, which had been used in multiple clinical and research settings. The HealthTracker TM was used in the Suicidality: Treatment Occurring in Paediatrics (STOP) study [ 42 , 43 ], the Managing the Link and Strengthening Transition from Child to Adult Mental Health Care (MILESTONE) project [ 44 ], and the development and validation of a neuropsychiatric questionnaire [ 45 ]. Following the focus groups, a version of the MPSS was finalized and uploaded onto the HealthTracker TM platform.…”