Psychiatry research
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Psychiatry research · Apr 2019
Psychometric properties of the German version of the suicide cognitions scale in two clinical samples.
The present study aimed at evaluating the psychometric properties of German Suicide Cognitions Scale (SCS-18/SCS-9) in two clinical samples. Validity and reliability were established in an outpatient- (n = 277) and in an inpatient sample (n = 75). Statistical analyses included confirmatory factor analyses, correlation analyses, between-group comparison by history of lifetime suicide attempts, and regression analyses. ⋯ The SCS-18 subscales and the SCS-9 demonstrated clinical utility by differentiating between participants with prior and without prior suicide attempts. The SCS (subscale unsolvability and SCS-9 score) predicted current suicide ideation as well as suicide ideation 7-10 days later - even after controlling for established risk-factors (e.g., depression, hopelessness, interpersonal variables). Results suggest that the SCS-18 and the SCS-9 are reliable and valid measures to assess suicidal cognitions that can be used in clinical as well as in research settings.