Hopelessness has long been identified as one of the strongest psychological predictors of suicidality. However, the construct of hopelessness is diffuse, and measurement of hopelessness as a marker of suicidality is constrained by this limitation. Recent advances in cognitive theory (Beck, 1996) and cognitive-behavioral theory as specifically related to suicide (Rudd, Joiner, & Rajab, 2001) led to the development of a new measure of suicide-specific hopelessness, the Suicide Cognitions Scale (SCS; Rudd, 2004).
Although recent studies have shown the SCS to be a valid and reliable measure for use with adults (e.g., Rudd et al., 2010), the current study is the first to look at the psychometric properties of the measure with a uniquely adolescent population. Participants included a clinical sample of adolescents ages 13 to 18 either in acute inpatient or a partial hospitalization program (n = 90) as well as a nonclinical sample (n = 88).
Internal consistency of the measure was examined. Construct and criterion validity were explored utilizing self-report measures of depression, anxiety, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, suicidal behaviors, an Implicit Association Test of suicidality, and data obtained from patients’ medical records. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to evaluate the underlying factor structure of the measure, particularly in comparison with previous findings in adult samples. The observed factor structure varied slightly from the factor structure found in previous adult samples. The SCS demonstrated excellent reliability and validity within the adolescent sample, as well as improvement over the Beck Hopelessness Scale in explaining the variance in suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Differences between adolescents and adults in suicide-specific hopelessness, the applicability of the measure for this age group, and clinical utility are discussed.