Measuring the Suicidal Mind: The ‘Open Source’ Suicidality Scale, for Adolescents and Adults

Abstract

Clinicians are expected to provide accurate and useful mental health assessments, but existing instruments often fail to meet expectations. We used a multi-model approach to address one urgent psychiatric concern, developing a highly valid, ‘free culture’ license, instrument – the Suicidality Scale (SS). Study 1 survey participants (N=5,115, aged 13-82) completed an item pool and psychosocial measures. Study 2 (N=814, aged 14-80) included SS modifications and a follow-up (two weeks) assessment (n=190). Study 3 (N=626, aged 14-83) included further modifications. SS psychometric properties were high (loadings > .77; a > 2.2; test-retest r = .87; internal consistency, ωt = .96). Invariance checks were satisfied for demographics, self-reported psychiatric diagnosis, and suicide attempt history. The SS showed stronger psychometrics and significant differences in bivariate associations compared with available suicide measures. The ‘open source’ Suicidality Scale represents a step forward in accurate suicide risk assessment for adolescents, adults, and diverse populations.

Measuring the suicidal mind: The ‘open source’ Suicidality Scale, for adolescents and adults

“…That includes making data, methods and analyses publicly available and making the SS freely available through a Creative Commons BY 4.0 license [ 47 ]. A preprint of an earlier version of this manuscript produced feedback, resulting in several modifications [ 48 ]. An open methods presentation provides additional information on study methods [ 49 ].…”