The adaptation of a measure of confidence in assessing, formulating, and managing suicide risk

Sandford, D. M., Kirtley, O. J., Thwaites, R., Dagnan, D. and O'Connor, R. C. (2023) The adaptation of a measure of confidence in assessing, formulating, and managing suicide risk. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, 44(1), pp. 70-77. (doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000830) (PMID:34859684)

Abstract

Background: To date little has been done to evaluate the effectiveness of suicide risk formulation training. Aims: We aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of a new scale measuring clinicians' confidence in assessing, formulating, and managing suicide risk. Method: A total of 128 mental health practitioners from an UK National Health Service Trust completed the scale. Of them, 85 from an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies service did so before and after training in Risk Assessment, Formulation, and Management (RAFM); 28 practitioners from the Older Adults service also completed the measure. For test–retest analysis, a further 15 completed the scale again 1 week after baseline without attending any training. Of the training group, 52 (61%) completed the measure at the 6-month follow-up. Results: Analysis indicated a single-factor structure, good test–retest reliability, and statistically significant increases in confidence between pre- and posttraining and between pretraining and 6 month follow-up. Cohen's effect size values suggest a moderate-to-large effect. Limitations: The relatively small sample sizes indicate that this study should be considered a preliminary investigation of a new measure, which warrants further replication. Conclusion: This measure could be useful in gauging practitioners' confidence in the RAFM approach and in evaluating and developing training.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: David Sandford is completing a PhD funded by Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Olivia Kirtley is supported by a Senior Postdoctoral Fellowship from Research Foundation Flanders (FWO 1257821N).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sandford, David and O'Connor, Professor Rory and Kirtley, Dr Olivia and Dagnan, Professor Dave
• Authors: Sandford, D. M., Kirtley, O. J., Thwaites, R., Dagnan, D., and O'Connor, R. C.
• College/School: 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: 03 December 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Hogrefe Publishing
• First Published: First published in Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention 44(1): 70-77
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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