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Screening of suicidal ideation in nursing homes: validation of the Paykel Scale in older adults
Carolina Pinazo-Clapés1,2, Rita Redondo2, Irene Checa1
1Department of Development Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Objectives:
Older adults in nursing homes represent a highly vulnerable group regarding suicidal ideation. Despite its prevalence, validated screening tools adapted to institutionalized older adults are scarce. This study aimed to validate the Paykel Suicide Scale (PSS) by assessing its psychometric properties of in a Spanish sample of institutionalized older adults.
Method:
A total of 231 participants aged 60-97 years (M = 78.99, SD = 8.83) from nine long-term care facilities completed the PSS alongside other measures of suicidal ideation (SSI), hopelessness (BHS), and life satisfaction (SWLS). Factor structure, internal consistency, convergent validity, and measurement invariance by age group were tested.
Results:
The unidimensional model of the PSS showed acceptable fit indices (CFI = 0.991, SRMR = 0.078; RMSEA = 0.089 [0.037-0.146]), with high internal consistency (ordinal α = 0.917). Items 1 and 2 discriminated across all levels of suicidal ideation, while Items 3-5 were informative at higher severity. The PSS correlated significantly with suicidal ideation (r > 0.58), hopelessness (r = 0.33), and life satisfaction (r = -0.37). Measurement invariance was supported across age groups (60-80 vs. 81+ years).
Conclusion:
The Paykel Suicide Scale is a brief, valid, and reliable screening instrument for suicidal ideation among institutionalized older adults and is recommended for use in residential care settings.
