An investigation into the factor structure of the Attitudes to Suicide Prevention Scale

Sandford, D. M., Kirtley, O. J., Lafit, G., Thwaites, R. and O'Connor, R. C. (2020) An investigation into the factor structure of the Attitudes to Suicide Prevention Scale. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 41(2), pp. 97-104. (doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000608) (PMID:31310166)

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Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the factor structure of the Attitudes to Suicide Prevention Scale (ASPS). Method: The ASPS was distributed to all staff in a UK National Health Service Trust (N = 957). We conducted an exploratory factor analysis followed by a confirmatory factor analysis by splitting the data 60/40 into training and testing subsets. A multiple regression analysis was carried out to investigate whether the overall scale score varied as a function of professional role, age, and gender and whether respondents had completed suicide prevention training or not. Results: Two items displaying poor item-scale correlation were excluded from the factor analysis and a further item was excluded as it was based on different anchor points. For the remaining 11 items, no adequate factor structure emerged. The scale total demonstrated statistically significant differences in attitudes between staff groups (defined by attendance at suicide awareness or prevention training, by gender, and by level of patient contact), but not between groups defined by age range. Generally, however, there were positive attitudes across all Trust staff. Limitations: This study had a low response rate (24%) and was cross-sectional which limits the conclusions that could be drawn. Furthermore, other areas such as convergent validity and test–retest reliability were not examined. Conclusion: Our findings found no satisfactory factor structure for the ASPS. Further scale development would be beneficial.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:DMS is completing a PhD funded by Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. OJK is supported by a fellowship from an FWO Odysseus grant (Myin-Germeys, FWO GOF8416N).
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:O'Connor, Professor Rory and Sandford, David and Kirtley, Dr Olivia
Authors: Sandford, D. M., Kirtley, O. J., Lafit, G., Thwaites, R., and O'Connor, R. C.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
Journal Name:Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention
Publisher:Hogrefe Publishing
ISSN:0227-5910
ISSN (Online):2151-2396
Published Online:16 July 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 Hogrefe Publishing
First Published:First published in Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention 41(2): 97-104
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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