To examine the psychometric properties of a Spanish version of the C-SSRS (Sp-CSSRS).
Method
Data are from a naturalistic, cross-sectional, multicentre, validation study, including 467 psychiatric outpatients, 242 of whom had a history of suicide attempt. The study measures were: C-SSRS; the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS); the Beck Suicide Intent Scale; the Medical Damage Scale.
Results
Construct validity: Pearson coefficient between the C-SSRS severity (C-Sev) and intensity (C-Int) of ideation subscale scores was 0.44 (p < 0.000) for the total sample. Likewise, Pearson coefficient between C-Sev score and HDRS item 3 was 0.56 (p < 0.000). For the sub-sample of patients with suicide attempt, significant Pearson correlations were found between the C-Sev and the Beck Suicide Intent Scale scores (r = 0.22; p = 0.001). Discriminant validity: Significant differences were found in C-Sev and C-Int scores between patients with and without suicide attempt (p < 0.000). The C-Sev score discriminated between patients based on HDRS item 3 (p < 0.009). Sensitivity to change: Linear regression showed that a one-unit decrease in HDRS item 3 corresponded to a decrease of 5.08 units in the C-Sev score (p = 0.141). A one-unit change in HDRS item 3 corresponded to a change of 13.51 on the C-Int assessments (p = 0.007). Cronbach's alpha was 0.53 for C-Int. The principal component analysis identified 2 components that explain 55.66% of the total variance (C-Int).
Conclusion
The data support that the Sp-C-SSRS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing suicidal ideation and behaviour in daily clinical practice and research settings.
