Psychometric Properties of the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-1995
Department
Psychology
Abstract
In order to assess the reliability and validity of Cole's (1988) four-item version of the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire (SBQ), 57 clinical outpatients completed it and the Reasons for Living Inventory (RFL), and 86 undergraduates completed it and the Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI). Two weeks later, 30 undergraduates completed the SBQ again. Cronbach alphas were moderate (clinical sample = .75; nonclinical sample = .80). Test-retest correlations were also significant (r = .95). The SBQ and SSI were significantly correlated (r = .69). The SBQ and RFL were also significantly correlated (r = -.34), although modestly. In view of its moderate to strong reliability, its construct and fact validity, its ease of administration and scoring, and its brevity, the SBQ is recommended as a brief screening instrument for suicidality for researchers and clinicians.
Publication Title
Death Studies
Volume
19
Issue
4
First Page
391
Last Page
397
Recommended Citation
Cotton, C. R.,
Peters, D. K.,
Range, L. M.
(1995). Psychometric Properties of the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire. Death Studies, 19(4), 391-397.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/5893