Psychometric properties of two Arabic Suicide Scales: stigma and literacy

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death. Suicide stigma and literacy may affect the rate of suicide and help-seeking behaviors. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Stigma of Suicide Scale-short form (SOSS-SF) and Literacy of Suicide Scale (LOSS). The sa...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mohammed Aldalaykeh, Heyam Dalky, Ghada Shahrour, Mohammad Rababa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-04-01
Series:Heliyon
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844020307222
Description
Summary:Suicide is one of the leading causes of death. Suicide stigma and literacy may affect the rate of suicide and help-seeking behaviors. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Stigma of Suicide Scale-short form (SOSS-SF) and Literacy of Suicide Scale (LOSS). The sample included 160 Jordanian university students. Reliability analysis showed acceptable Cronbach's alpha levels of the three SOSS-SF subscales (stigmatization, isolation, and glorification subscales). Factor analysis supported the construct validity of the SOSS-SF by showing three factor structure similar to the three original subscales. LOSS scores showed low literacy level about suicide with a passing rate of 55% and a mean score of 5.63 out 12. Students had more difficulty in answering questions related to signs/symptoms and risk factors of suicide. This study will enable Arabic clinicians to use these tools which assess important aspects about suicide.
ISSN:2405-8440