Measuring Suicide Risk Without Asking About Suicide? Psychache Scale Score Validation and Cut Score Development in a Military Sample.

Abstract

This study evaluated the ability of scores on the self-report Psychache Scale (PAS) to subtly screen pre-existing suicide risk factors in a military population. For 525 Canadian military personnel, PAS normative data were established, and scores demonstrated high internal consistency reliability. Based on associations with a rationally constructed measure of suicidality, PAS scores possessed large effect sizes, convergent validity. The PAS also had significant diagnostic accuracy for identifying previous multiple suicide intent communications and previous multiple suicide attempts, behavioral risk factors for subsequent suicide. Preliminary cut scores for identifying at risk military personnel are provided.