Factor structure and psychometric properties of the Modified Scale for Suicidal Ideation among suicidal youth.
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.
Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5022, USA. jpettit@uh.edu
Jeremy W
JW
Pettit
Monica J
MJ
Garza
Kelly E
KE
Grover
Dawnelle J
DJ
Schatte
Sharon T
ST
Morgan
Andrew
A
Harper
Ann E
AE
Saunders
D000293:Adolescent; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention