Examining a brief suicide screening tool in older adults engaging in risky alcohol use

Alcohol misuse increases risk of suicidal behavior in older adults. The Depressive Symptom Inventory-Suicidality Subscale (DSI-SS; Metalsky & Joiner, 1997) and its relation to suicide attempt history was examined to see if it differed for older adults as a function of their alcohol use. Structural equation modeling was used in a sample (N=1,061) of older adult outpatients to examine the scale's measurement invariance and population heterogeneity and its relation to suicide attempt history. Analyses supported the equivalence of the DSI-SS in risky and nonrisky drinkers. The DSI-SS significantly predicted past suicide attempts. Findings support the viability of the DSI-SS as suicide screening tool for older adults.