title: Development and Validation of the Gatekeeper Behavior Scale.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Community-based gatekeeper trainings are effective tools in increasing gatekeeper skills but few validated measures assess impact.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed at determining the validity of an 11-item Gatekeeper Behavior Scale (GBS) to assess gatekeeper skills that predict behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  To validate the scale, 8,931 users were administered GBS surveys at pretraining, posttraining, and follow-up periods. The training was one of five from the suite of online At-Risk mental health learning simulations for university faculty/staff or students or high/middle school educators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A confirmatory factor analysis revealed the three-factor model based on the subscales of preparedness, likelihood, and self-efficacy fit the data best. Factor loadings showed all items correlated highly with theoretical constructs (r ≥ .84, p < .001). The GBS had high internal consistency (α = 0.93). Criterion-related validity for likelihood to discuss concerns at posttraining was significantly related to approaching students believed to be in psychological distress (r = .219, p < .001). Likelihood to refer significantly correlated with the number of students referred (r = .235, p < .001). Convergent validity was established via a correlation between self-efficacy in motivating someone to seek help and general self-efficacy (r = .519, p < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The GBS appears to be a valid tool in measuring the impact of online gatekeeper training simulations and holds promise for assessing other delivery methods.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, Baruch College, City University of New York, USA.
authors.forename: Glenn L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Albright
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, Baruch College, City University of New York, USA.
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: 2 Kognito, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Psychology, Baruch College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, USA.
authors.forename: Kristen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Shockley
authors.affiliation: 4 Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Timmons-Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004493:Education; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D020793:Gatekeeping / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020377:Self Efficacy; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
keywords: assessment; confirmatory factor analysis; gatekeeper; suicide prevention; validity