Self‐Efficacy to Avoid Suicidal Action: Factor Structure and Convergent Validity among Adults in Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Abstract

Individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) are at high risk of suicidal behaviors, highlighting the need for an improved understanding of potentially influential factors. One such domain is self-efficacy to manage suicidal thoughts and impulses. The study provides psychometric data about the Self-Efficacy to Avoid Suicidal Action (SEASA) scale within a sample of adults seeking SUD treatment (N=464). Exploratory factor analysis supported a single self-efficacy construct. Lower SEASA scores, or lower self-efficacy, were reported in those with more severe suicidal ideation and those with more suicide attempts, providing evidence for convergent validity. Implications of measuring self-efficacy in the context of suicide risk assessment are discussed.

The Non‐Suicidal Self‐Injury Expectancy Questionnaire: Factor structure and initial validation

“…Participants respond on a 6‐point scale (1: very uncertain ; 6: very certain ) regarding their ability to resist NSSI. Initial validation of the scale supported a single‐factor structure, strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .96), and convergent validity (Czyz et al, ). Internal consistency was also strong in the current study (Cronbach's α = .93).…”

Applying a cognitive‐emotional model to nonsuicidal self‐injury

“…This 6‐item measure was adapted from Czyz et al's () self‐efficacy to avoid suicidal action scale, to reflect an individual's belief in their ability to resist NSSI. Participants reported on a 6‐point scale from 1 ( very uncertain ) to 6 ( very certain ), whether they believe they can resist engaging in NSSI in the future (e.g., how certain are you that you will not self‐injure in the future?).…”

“…Participants reported on a 6‐point scale from 1 ( very uncertain ) to 6 ( very certain ), whether they believe they can resist engaging in NSSI in the future (e.g., how certain are you that you will not self‐injure in the future?). The original version has strong convergent validity being significantly correlated with suicidal ideation ( r = −0.59; p < 0.001) and strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.96; Czyz et al, ). The adapted NSSI version also has strong internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.92; Hasking & Rose, ).…”

Self-Rated Expectations of Suicidal Behavior Predict Future Suicide Attempts Among Adolescent and Young Adult Psychiatric Emergency Patients

“…The outcome was suicide attempts up to 18 months later. [20] This prospective study examined if youths who are in a psychiatric crisis are indeed able to provide meaningful predictions of their own risk and the extent to which this information can be incorporated into suicide risk formulation. The construct of self-efficacy, [15] which posits that belief in one's capability to succeed in a particular situation will ultimately shape behavior, is a powerful predictor of many health behaviors.…”

“…As the second leading cause of death among [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] year olds and the third leading cause of death among younger teens, [1] youth suicide continues to be a significant public health problem. Moreover, as many as 17% of high school students report having serious thoughts of suicide each year and 8% report attempting suicide.…”