Citation

Preti A, Sheehan DV, Coric V, Distinto M, Pitanti M, Vacca I, Siddi A, Masala C, Petretto DR. Compr. Psychiatry 2013; 54(7): 842-849.

Affiliation

Department of Education, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy; Genneruxi Medical Center, Cagliari, Italy. Electronic address: apreti@tin.it.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.03.012

PMID

23618606

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Sheehan Suicidality Tracking Scale (S-STS) is a patient self-report or clinician-administered rating scale that tracks spontaneous and treatment-emergent suicidal ideation and behaviors. This study set out to evaluate the reliability, convergent and divergent validity of the S-STS in a sample of college students, a population with a high risk of completed and attempted suicide. METHODS: Cross-sectional, survey design. Participants (303 undergraduate students; males: 42%) completed several measures assessing psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire; GHQ); self-esteem (Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale; RSES); social support (Modified Social Support Survey; MOSSS); and suicidal behavior, including ideation and attempts (S-STS). RESULTS: Both internal consistency and test-retest stability were excellent for the S-STS-global score. The S-STS subscale on suicide ideation also showed good reliability, while the subscale on suicidal behavior showed some inconsistency at retest. Convergent and divergent validity of S-STS was confirmed. All S-STS items loaded on a single factor, which had an excellent fit for the unidimensional model, thus justifying the use of the S-STS as a screening tool. In a mediation model, self-esteem and social support explained 45% of the effects of psychological distress on suicide ideation and behavior as measured by the S-STS-global score. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided promising evidence on the convergent, divergent, internal consistency and test-retest stability of the Sheehan Suicidality Tracking Scale. The cross-sectional design and lack of measures of hopelessness and helplessness prevent any conclusion about the links of suicidal behavior with self-esteem and social support.

Language: en