Construct development: The Suicide Trigger Scale (STS-2), a measure of a hypothesized suicide trigger state

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study aims to develop the construct of a 'suicide trigger state' by exploring data gathered with a novel psychometric self-report instrument, the STS-2.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The STS-2, was admi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eisenberg Daniel, Johnson Matthew S, Katz Curren, Yaseen Zimri, Cohen Lisa J, Galynker Igor I
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2010-12-01
Series:BMC Psychiatry
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-244X/10/110
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Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study aims to develop the construct of a 'suicide trigger state' by exploring data gathered with a novel psychometric self-report instrument, the STS-2.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The STS-2, was administered to 141 adult psychiatric patients with suicidal ideation. Multiple statistical methods were used to explore construct validity and structure.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cronbach's alpha (0.949) demonstrated excellent internal consistency. Factor analyses yielded two-component solutions with good agreement. The first component described near-psychotic somatization and ruminative flooding, while the second described frantic hopelessness. ROC analysis determined an optimal cut score for a history of suicide attempt, with significance of p < 0.03. Logistic regression analysis found items sensitive to history of suicide attempt described ruminative flooding, doom, hopelessness, entrapment and dread.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The STS-2 appears to measure a distinct and novel clinical entity, which we speculatively term the 'suicide trigger state.' High scores on the STS-2 associate with reported history of past suicide attempt.</p>
ISSN:1471-244X