The Suicidal Intrusions Attributes Scale (SINAS): a new tool measuring suicidal intrusions

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Suicidal intrusions are uncontrollable mental images of future suicidal acts, also termed suicidal "flash-forwards."
• Current clinical assessments lack quick, reliable screening tools for suicidal intrusions.
• Assessing suicidal intrusions is crucial for comprehensive suicide risk evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a new self-report instrument, the Suicidal Intrusions Attributes Scale (SINAS).
• To assess the severity and characteristics of suicidal intrusions.
• To examine the psychometric properties of the SINAS in a clinical population.

Main Methods:

• The study involved 168 currently suicidal outpatients with depression in the Netherlands.
• Participants completed the 10-item SINAS, SIDAS, PIT, SCI, and BDI-II.
• Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the instrument's structure.

Main Results:

• Exploratory factor analysis revealed a one-factor structure for the SINAS.
• The SINAS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.91).
• Convergent validity of the SINAS was found to be good.

Conclusions:

• The SINAS is a reliable and valid measure for assessing suicidal intrusions in depressed, suicidal patients.
• The SINAS can serve as a valuable screening tool in both research and clinical practice.
• This scale aids in the routine assessment of suicidal intrusions, improving suicide risk management.