The Stigma of Suicide Scale

Crisis ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Batterham ◽  
Alison L. Calear ◽  
Helen Christensen

Background: There are presently no validated scales to adequately measure the stigma of suicide in the community. The Stigma of Suicide Scale (SOSS) is a new scale containing 58 descriptors of a “typical” person who completes suicide. Aims: To validate the SOSS as a tool for assessing stigma toward suicide, to examine the scale’s factor structure, and to assess correlates of stigmatizing attitudes. Method: In March 2010, 676 staff and students at the Australian National University completed the scale in an online survey. The construct validity of the SOSS was assessed by comparing its factors with factors extracted from the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ). Results: Three factors were identified: stigma, isolation/depression, and glorification/normalization. Each factor had high internal consistency and strong concurrent validity with the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire. More than 25% of respondents agreed that people who suicided were “weak,” “reckless,” or “selfish.” Respondents who were female, who had a psychology degree, or who spoke only English at home were less stigmatizing. A 16-item version of the scale also demonstrated robust psychometric properties. Conclusions: The SOSS is the first attitudes scale designed to directly measure the stigma of suicide in the community. Results suggest that psychoeducation may successfully reduce stigma.

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 1005-1014
Author(s):  
Zhiqi You ◽  
Yuan Tian ◽  
Fanchang Kong ◽  
Zongkui Zhou ◽  
Youjie Zheng

Our purpose in this study was to develop a scale to measure preference for online social interaction (POSI). The psychometric properties of the POSI Scale were tested with 2 separate samples of Chinese teenagers (age 13–18 years). The responses of the first group (n = 352) were used to explore the factor structure of the scale. The responses of the second group (n = 593) were used to test construct validity and consistency reliability of the POSI Scale. The results indicated that (a) the POSI Scale consists of three dimensions: online social interaction frequency, online social interaction propensity, and perception of superiority of online social interaction compared to face-to-face social interaction; and (b) the POSI Scale has good structural validity and internal consistency and reliability, and is a reliable and valid instrument for measurement of adolescents' preference for online social interaction, especially in the context of Chinese teenagers.


1991 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. Engelbrecht ◽  
L. C. De Jager

The reliability and factor structure of the adapted multiple choice version of the Miner Sentence Completion Scale (MSCS). In this study the multiple choice MSCS was adapted as a result of several criticisms thereof. The internal consistency and factor structure of the adapted MSCS were determined to ascertain the reliability and construct validity of the questionnaire. Results show that the internal consistency is unsatisfactory and that the factor structure is so complex that interpretation becomes virtually impossible. In light of the results of this study and other research findings of the psychometric properties of the MSCS, it is recommended that a new measuring instrument for managerial motivation be developed that will enable a valid testing of the managerial rolemotivation theory. Opsomming Na aanleiding van verskeie punte van kritiek teen die MSCS is die meervoudige keuse-MSCS in hierdie studie aangepas. Ten einde 'n aanduiding van die betroubaarheid en konstrukgeldigheid van die aangepaste MSCS te verkry, is die interne konsekwentheid en faktorstruktuur daarvan bepaal. Die resultate dui daarop dat die interne konsekwentheid onbevredigend en die faktorstruktuur te kompleks vir interpretasie is. In die lig van die bevindinge van hierdie studie, en ander navorsingsbevindinge oor die psigometriese eienskappe van die MSCS, word aanbeveel dat 'n nuwe meetinstrument van bestuursmotivering ontwikkel word wat 'n geldige toetsing van die bestuursrol-motiveringsteorie moontlik sal maak.


Author(s):  
Paolo Iliceto ◽  
Emanuele Fino ◽  
Mauro Schiavella ◽  
Tian Po Oei

AbstractGambling urges and gambling refusal self-efficacy beliefs play a major role in the development and maintenance of problem gambling. This study aimed to translate the Gambling Urge Scale (GUS) and the Gambling Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (GRSEQ) from English to Italian (GUS-I, GRSEQ-I) and to test their factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, concurrent validity, and gender differences in 513 individuals from the Italian community. Factor structure and construct validity were tested through Confirmatory Factor Analysis, internal consistency through Cronbach’s alpha, concurrent validity through correlations with gambling-related cognitions (GRCS-I), probable pathological gambling (SOGS-I), and gambling functioning (GFA-R-I). Results confirmed that the 6 items of the GUS-I load highly on one dimension of Gambling Urge, and each of the 26 items of the GRSEQ-I load highly on their relevant sub-dimension, among the following: situations/thoughts, drugs, positive emotions, negative emotions. Both scales are internally consistent and show concurrent validity with gambling-related cognitions, probable pathological gambling, and gambling functioning. Males score higher than females at the GUS-I; females score higher than males at the GRSEQ-I. The findings from the present study suggest that the GUS-I and the GRSEQ-I are internally consistent and valid scales for the assessment of gambling urges and gambling refusal self-efficacy in Italian individuals from the community, with significant repercussions in terms of assessment, prevention, and intervention.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Penengo ◽  
Chiara Colli ◽  
Marco Garzitto ◽  
Lorenza Driul ◽  
Maddalena Cesco ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Pregnancy is a period of happiness but also of physical and psychological changes that can lead to distress. Functional coping strategies can reduce the pregnancy specific-stress. This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Revised Prenatal Coping Inventory (NuPCI) in an Italian sample and to investigate how coping strategies were associated with pregnancy-specific stress.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, low-risk pregnant women (N=211) were assessed with NuPCI, NuPDQ (Revised-Prenatal Distress Questionnaire), Brief-COPE (Coping Orientation to the Problems Experienced), and STAI (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). The reliability of NuPCI was evaluated by assessing its internal consistency and factor structure. The concurrent validity between NuPCI and Brief-COPE and NuPDQ and STAI was investigated. Lastly, the relationship between NuPCI and NuPDQ was analyzed, as well as the ability of these scales to predict Apgar score at birth.Results: Internal consistency of NuPCI scales was good for Planning-Preparation (ɑC=0.84) and Spiritual-Positive Coping (ɑC=0.81), acceptable for Avoidance (ɑC=0.76). The original three-factor structure was confirmed, using a promax solution. NuPCI and NuPDQ showed good concurrent validity. The NuPCI scales predicted NuPDQ score (Avoidance and Planning-Preparation positively, Spiritual-Positive Coping negatively). Also, Avoidance and Spiritual-Positive Coping scales were associated respectively to decreasing and to increasing Apgar score, with the moderation of NuPDQ.Conclusions: Italian NuPCI has sound psychometric properties and it is a useful coping measure. NuPDQ showed also a good validity. Our results may suggest a significant role for coping strategies, particularly in modulating the condition of the newborn at birth.


2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joaquín Tomás-Sábado ◽  
Juana Gómez-Benito

The aim of this work was first to translate into Spanish and then to adapt Abdel-Khalek's Death Obsession Scale (DOS) for Spanish subjects, and to establish the scale's psychometric properties. The scale was translated from its Arabic and English forms and administered, along with other instruments, to a sample of 344 Spanish university students. The results obtained indicate high coefficients of internal consistency and stability, as well as adequate concurrent validity and a factor structure which is meaningful and significant, such outcomes being similar to those obtained in previous studies with Arab or English samples. These results justify the use of the Death Obsession Scale in evaluating preoccupation with death among Spanish-speaking subjects.


Author(s):  
Angelina Pilatti ◽  
Adrian Bravo ◽  
Yanina Michelini ◽  
Gabriela Rivarola Montejano ◽  
Ricardo Pautassi

Background: The Marijuana Consequences Questionnaire [MACQ] assesses marijuana-related problems. This 8-factor (50-items) measure covers a broad array of multiple dimensions encompassing 50 negative consequences of gradient severity that are particularly relevant in the context of college. The present study aimed to validate the Spanish version of the 50-item Marijuana Consequences Questionnaire (S-MACQ) by analyzing the psychometric properties of internal, convergent, and concurrent validity and estimating internal consistency. We also examined the correlation between the brief (SB-MACQ) and the full S-MACQ and whether they similarly correlate with marijuana outcomes and marijuana-related variables. Method: College students from the two largest public universities of Cordoba city (Argentina) completed an online survey as part of a broader study focused on marijuana use and risky sexual behaviors. Only data from students that reported last-year marijuana use (n=470; 70.6% women; Mean age 22.67±3.52 years; 45.7% enrolled in psychology) were included in the study. We conducted independent samples t-tests to evaluate differences in the number of negative consequences (for the total scale and for each S-MACQ dimension) as a function of biological sex or frequency of use. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) was conducted to examine the factor structure of the S-MACQ. We conducted Pearson correlation analyses to examine the association between the number of marijuana-related consequences as measured by the S-MACQ and scores (a) in the CUDIT, a standardized measure of marijuana-related problems (i.e., convergent validity), (b) frequency and quantity of marijuana use (i.e., concurrent validity), (c) motives for marijuana use (i.e., concurrent validity). We examined the Pearson correlation between the SB-MACQ and the S-MACQ and then we estimated the difference between the Pearson correlation of the SB-MACQ and the S-MACQ with all the marijuana outcomes and marijuana-related variables. Results: Results from the CFA supported an 8-factor structure. The scores of the S-MACQ showed appropriate internal, concurrent and convergent validity, alongside with adequate internal consistency. The S-MACQ was largely correlated with the SB-MACQ and the correlations between these two versions and marijuana outcomes/marijuana-related variables did not significantly differ. Discussion: Findings supported the S-MACQ as a valid measure to assess marijuana-related problems in Spanish-speaking students. The instrument can be used to identify a broad diversity of marijuana problems in this population.


10.18060/57 ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathy King Pike ◽  
Robert Bennett ◽  
Valerie Chang

This article reports an initial validation of an instrument that measures basic interviewing skills and compares its psychometric results with another instrument that has been used more frequently to measure similar skills. Four field supervisors rated 30 students’ videotaped interviews (N=120) using two instruments, the validation, and a comparison instrument. The current validation instrument had high internal consistency reliability, a clear factor structure, and performed well in construct validity evaluations. These preliminary results supported the instrument’s internal consistency reliability, content, factorial, and construct validity. The validation instrument had higher internal consistency reliability, lower errormeasurement, and amore interpretable factor structure than the comparison instrument.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Yousefi Afrashteh

Abstract Background: Psychological tests are necessary to assess and assess the mental state of individuals. Mental health is one of the important psychological indicators and is increasingly considered as having various aspects of well-being. The Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF) is a 14-item instrument that assesses mental health, focusing on emotional, psychological, and social well-being. The present study examined the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the MHC-SF among adolescents, focusing on its factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, and gender measurement invariance.Methods: The population of this study was Iranian adolescents between 11 and 18 years old who were enrolled in the seventh to twelfth grades. A convenience sample of 822 Adolescents from four large cities in the Iran (Tehran, Zanjan, Hamedan and Ghazvin) participated in the present study. Questionnaires were completed online. Statistical analyses to evaluate the factor structure, internal consistency, construct validity, gender and age factorial invariance were performed in SPSS and LISREL.Results: The results of confirmatory factor analysis supported the 3-factor structure of MHC-SF (emotional, psychological, and social well-being). Reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha method and composite reliability (>.7). Measurement invariance were confirmed among girls and boys. Convergent and divergent validity were also evaluated and confirmed by correlating the test score with similar and different tests.Conclusion: This study examined and confirmed the psychometric properties of GHQ in the Iranian adolescent community. This instrument can be used in psychological research and diagnostic evaluations.


Author(s):  
Cheng Chen ◽  
Susanne Weyland ◽  
Julian Fritsch ◽  
Alexander Woll ◽  
Claudia Niessner ◽  
...  

Objective: The purposes of this paper were to (a) develop a new short, theory-driven, version of the physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES-S) using content analysis; and (b) subsequently to measure the psychometric properties (construct validity, internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and concurrent validity) of the PACES-S for adolescents. Methods: Six experts used a four-point Likert scale to assess the content validity of each of the 16 items of the physical activity enjoyment scale according to a provided definition of physical activity enjoyment. Based on the results, exploratory factor analysis was used to analyze survey data from a longitudinal study of 182 individuals (Measure 1 of Study 1: 15.75 ± 3.39 yrs; 56.6% boys, 43.4% girls), and confirmatory factor analysis (Measure 2 of Study 1: 15.69 ± 3.44 yrs; 56.3% boys, 43.7% girls) was used to analyze the survey data from a cross-sectional study of 3219 individuals (Study 2; 15.99 ± 3.10 yrs; 47.8% boys, 52.2% girls) to assess the construct validity of the new measure. To assess the reliability, test–retest reliability was assessed in Study 1 and internal consistency in Study 1 and 2. For the concurrent validity, correlations with self-reported and device-based physical activity behavior were assessed in both studies. Results: Four out of sixteen items were selected for PACES-S. Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analyses identified and supported its factorial validity (χ2 = 53.62, df = 2, p < 0.001; RMSEA = 0.073; CFI = 0.99; RFI = 0.96; NFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.96; IFI = 0.99). Results showed good test–retest reliability (r = 0.76) and internal consistency (a = 0.82 to 0.88). Regarding concurrent validity, the results showed positive correlations with a physical activity questionnaire (Study 1: r = 0.36), with a physical activity diary (Study 1: r = 0.44), and with accelerometer-recorded data (Study 1: r = 0.32; Study 2: r = 0.21). Conclusions: The results indicate that PACES-S is a reliable and valid instrument that may be particularly useful to measure physical activity enjoyment in large-scale studies. It shows comparable measurement properties as the long version of PACES.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamelia Harris ◽  
Gillian Haddock ◽  
Sarah Peters ◽  
Patricia Gooding

Abstract Background Suicidal ideation is a key precursor for suicide attempts and suicide deaths. Performing routine screening of suicide precursors can help identify people who are at high risk of death by suicide. This is, arguably, an important suicide prevention effort. The aim of this study was to assess the validity, reliability, and factor structure of the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS) in a three-month longitudinal study with people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or non-affective psychosis and experiences of suicidal ideation and/or behaviours. It was predicted that the SIDAS would have high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent, discriminant and construct validity. Methods Ninety-nine participants experiencing psychosis completed the SIDAS at baseline and 89 participants completed it 3 months later. Additionally, participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Defeat and Entrapment Scales. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the SIDAS were investigated in comparison to other constructs. Factor analysis was performed to examine the factor structure of the scale. Results Principal component analysis yielded a theoretically coherent one-dimensional factor structure of SIDAS, suggesting good construct validity (PCA = .71). The SIDAS had high internal consistency (α = .89) and good test-retest reliability (α = .73). It was highly correlated with other self-report measures, including the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Defeat and Entrapment scales, indicating excellent construct validity. Conclusion The SIDAS is a valid and reliable self-report instrument for assessing the severity of suicidal ideation in a population of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or non-affective psychosis. Further research should test the psychometric properties of the scale in individuals experiencing different mental health problems in cross-cultural settings, in order to establish its broader validity, reliability, and clinical utility.


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