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Cited by 68Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesPsychometric Methodologies and TestingAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Modified Scale for Suicidal Ideation among suicidal youth

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Pettit, Jeremy W., Garza, Monica J., Grover, Kelly E., Schatte, Dawnelle J., Morgan, Sharon T., Harper, Andrew, Saunders, Ann E.·2009·Depression and Anxiety
DOI 10.1002/da.20575
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although suicidal behaviors occur at a high rate in adolescence, relatively few interview-based measures are available to assess suicidal ideation among youth. Existing interview measures are limited by a paucity of empirical study, a failure to conform to standard suicide nomenclature, or a lengthy administration time. This study presents data on the psychometric properties and factor structure of the brief, layperson-administered Modified Scale for Suicidal Ideation (MSSI) among suicidal youth. METHODS: The MSSI was administered to an inpatient sample of 102 suicidal youth aged 13-17 years. Additional interview and self-report measures were administered to examine the convergent validity of the MSSI. RESULTS: Consistent with previous findings among suicidal adults, the MSSI displayed good internal consistency and expected patterns of convergent validity. Principal component analysis revealed a bidimensional structure, with factors corresponding to (1) Desire and Ideation and (2) Plans and Preparations. Each factor displayed acceptable internal consistency and expected patterns of convergent validity via associations with hopelessness, depressive symptoms, impulsivity, and a self-report measure of suicidal behaviors. The Plans and Preparations factor significantly associated with the presence of a current suicide attempt and with greater suicide intent among attempters, whereas the Desire and Ideation factor did not. CONCLUSIONS: The MSSI appears to be a reliable and valid instrument to assess suicidal ideation among distressed youth. Clinicians are encouraged to pay particular attention to responses on the Plans and Preparations factor given its stronger association with suicide attempt and more serious suicide intent.

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Rudd MD, Rajab MH. Use of the modified scale for suicidal ideation with suicide ideators and attempters. J Clin Psychol 1995;51:632-635.
  2. Beck AT, Schuyler D, Herman I. Development of suicidal intent scales. In: Beck AT, Resnik HLP, Lettieri DJ, eds. The Prediction of Suicide. Bowie, MD: Charles Press; 1974: 45-56.

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Authors
Pettit, J. W., Garza, M. J., Grover, K. E., Schatte, D. J., Morgan, S. T., Harper, A., & Saunders, A. E.
Affiliations
  • University of Houston (US)
  • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (US)
Corresponding author
Pettit, Jeremy W.
ORCID
Venue
Depression and Anxiety
Publisher
Hindawi Limited
Published
2009-08
Volume
26
Issue
8
Pages
769-774
ISSN
  • 1091-4269 (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-6394
DOI
10.1002/da.20575
OpenAlex
W2164289026
Cited by
68
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 8
FWCI
5.30
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
doi.wiley.com/10.1002/tdm_license_1.1 (tdm, 2222 d)
Locations
  • Depression and Anxiety (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
suicidal ideation, suicidal youth, adolescents, factor structure, psychometric properties, suicidal intent, suicide attempts, hopelessness, depressive symptoms, impulsivity, convergent validity
MeSH terms
Suicide Prevention, Adolescent, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Female, Hospitalization, Humans, Interview, Psychological, Male, Mass Screening, Personality Assessment, Psychometrics, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Suicide, Suicide, Attempted, Reproducibility of Results, Comorbidity, Risk Assessment, Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders, Substance-Related Disorders, Intention

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