The development and initial validation of the geriatric suicide ideation scale

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Psychiatry
• Psychometrics
• Mental Health Assessment

Background:

• Suicide ideation is a significant concern in older adults.
• Existing measures may not adequately capture the multidimensional nature of suicide ideation in this demographic.
• Development of a specialized, reliable scale is needed for geriatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and initially validate the Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale (GSIS).
• To create a multidimensional measure assessing suicide ideation and related factors in older adults.
• To establish the psychometric properties of the GSIS for clinical and research use.

Main Methods:

• Study 1: Developed a 66-item scale, administered to 172 adults aged 65+, assessed factor structure, reduced scale, and correlated with social desirability.
• Study 2: Validated the reduced scale with 107 older adults, assessing reliability and initial validity.
• Utilized factor analysis, psychometric analyses, and correlational studies.

Main Results:

• The GSIS demonstrated a robust four-factor structure: Suicide Ideation, Death Ideation, Loss of Personal and Social Worth, and Perceived Meaning in Life.
• The scale exhibited strong internal consistency and test-retest reliability.
• Construct and criterion validity were supported by associations with depression, hopelessness, health, life satisfaction, and well-being; the Suicide Ideation subscale distinguished patients from non-patients.

Conclusions:

• The Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale (GSIS) is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing late-life suicide ideation.
• The GSIS and its subscales are suitable for identifying suicide risk and psychological resilience in older adults.
• The findings support the GSIS's utility in clinical settings and research focused on geriatric mental health.