“Validation of three scales for enhanced suicide prevention in Spanish-speaking populations: Suicidal ideation, stigma, and literacy”

Abstract

Background

Escalating suicide rates in Spain and Latin America underscore the critical need for accurate assessment and prevention tools tailored to these populations. This study aimed to culturally adapt and validate three essential scales: the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS), the Suicide Stigma Scale - Short Form (SOSS-SF), and the Suicide Literacy Scale - Short Form (LOSS-SF).

Method

A total of 678 participants (including 150 with suicidal ideation) completed an online survey. The scales underwent rigorous back-translation and adaptation by native speakers from Spain and Latin America. SIDAS and SOSS-SF were validated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), with criteria including fit indices (e.g., RMSEA, CFI). LOSS-SF underwent validation through Item Response Theory (IRT). Additionally, gender invariance was assessed across all scales.

Results

CFA confirmed the original factor structures of SIDAS and SOSS-SF, demonstrating good fit indices and internal consistency. The analysis of LOSS-SF required excluding two items, resulting in a final Spanish version with 10 items and an unifactorial structure. Gender invariance was established across all scales.

Conclusions

The culturally adapted and validated scales in this study demonstrate robust reliability and validity for assessing suicidal ideation, suicide stigma, and suicide literacy among Spanish-speaking populations. These validated tools have the potential to enhance clinical assessment, inform personalized interventions, monitor public health initiatives, educate communities about suicide, and advance research in suicide prevention and treatment.