| Abstract: | Instrument Development.
Aim. This paper is a report of a study conducted to develop a Chinese version of
the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation Inventory and evaluate its psychometric
properties.
Background. Comprehensive assessment of suicidal behaviour in youths should
incorporate both protective factors and risk factors.
Methods. We recruited 2341 middle- and high-school students for a longitudinal
and prospective study, conducted between 2005 and 2007. To assess predictive
validity, a convenience sample of 251 of the 2341 students was recruited 1 year later
to follow-up on suicide attempts during the preceding 2 weeks. To evaluate construct
validity, a small convenience sample of 94 adolescent inpatients and outpatients was
used as a comparison group. Instruments used included the Children’s Depression
Inventory, the Self-Control Schedule, and the Cognitive Triad for Children.
Results. Cronbach’s a coefficients for the Chinese version of the positive and negative
suicide ideation–negative suicide ideation and the Chinese version of the positive and
negative suicide ideation–positive ideation were 0Æ94 and 0Æ86 respectively. Satisfactory
test–retest reliability was evident. Convergent and divergent validities were demonstrated
by statistically significant correlations among subscales and the other instruments
used. Construct validity was evidenced by statistically significantly different scores on
the subscales among the contrasted groups. Subscale scores in the first-wave study
statistically significantly predicted attempted suicide behaviour 1 year later, demonstrating
evidence of predictive validity. Factor analysis showed a two-factor structure.
Conclusion. The Chinese Version of the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation
Inventory may be a reliable and valid instrument to measure the severity of suicidal
ideation in adolescents, subject to further research to test the generalizability of the
present findings.
Keywords: Chinese version, instrument development, nursing, positive and negative
suicide ideation, reliability, validity |
