Suicide Risk Assessment in Adolescents - C-SSRS, K10, and READ.
BACKGROUND
Assessment and screening are often the first step in planning interventions to help adolescents at risk of suicide. Causes of suicidal thoughts and behavior are multifaceted and it is important for clinical work that assessment reflects this complexity.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether a general psychological Resilience Scale for Adolescents (READ) is associated with a validated suicide rating scale (C-SSRS).


METHODS
An observational study of self-reported suicidality (C-SSRS), psychological distress (K10), and resiliency (READ) in three adolescent samples: suicide clinic (N = 147); general psychiatric clinic (N = 85); and a nonclinical sample (N = 92).


RESULTS
Resiliency scores were significantly higher (p < .05) in the nonclinical compared with the clinic samples on all READ scales. READ scores were similar in the two clinic samples apart from the family cohesion subscale, which was significantly lower in the suicide clinic sample. READ was predictive of levels of suicidality within all samples independently of general psychological distress (K10).


CONCLUSIONS
The study did not examine other early childhood factors that may contribute to individual resiliency or suicidality.


CONCLUSIONS
READ provides a reliable and valid assessment of individual resilience for both clinical and nonclinical settings. Evaluation of protective resources is a useful adjunct to the assessment and treatment of suicidal behavior.
1 University College Lillebaelt, Centre for Applied Welfare Research, Odense, Denmark.
Ida Skytte
IS
Jakobsen
2 Clinic of Suicide Prevention and Treatment for Children and Adolescents, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
Kim Juul
KJ
Larsen
3 Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand.
John L
JL
Horwood
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D065840:Protective Factors; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D013405:Suicide; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
adolescence; assessment; resilience; suicide risk