International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

International Journal of Behavioral Sciences

Psychometric Properties of the Suicide Cognitions Scale (SCS): Validity and Reliability Assessment among Iranian Adolescents

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Taghwa Ebrahimi 1
Forough Esrafilian 2
Hojjatollah Farahani 2
1 Ph.D. Candidate in Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
10.30491/ijbs.2025.497344.2191
Abstract
Introduction: Understanding cognitive risk factors associated with suicidal ideation is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies. The present study aimed to validate and assess the reliability of the Suicide Cognitions Scale (SCS) among Iranian adolescents.
Method: This study employed a descriptive-analytical evaluation design. The sample consisted of 400 adolescents from Tehran Province during the 2024–2025 academic year, selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed the SCS, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS). The psychometric evaluation of the SCS included analyses of confirmatory factor structure, divergent and concurrent validity, Pearson correlations, and internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha. All statistical analyses were conducted in R (version 4.2) with a significance level of 0.05.
Results: The three-factor structure of the SCS was examined and confirmed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), with fit indices indicating an excellent model fit (CFI= 0.96, RMSEA= 0.05). For concurrent and divergent validity, the scale showed a significant positive correlation with the BDI and a significant negative correlation with the SWBS. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were calculated as 0.94 for the total scale and ranged from 0.82 to 0.86 for its subscales, indicating excellent internal consistency.
Conclusion: The findings indicate acceptable construct validity and reliability of the SCS, confirming its multidimensional structure. This scale can serve as an effective tool for identifying suicidal ideation in adolescents.
Keywords
Suicide Cognitions Scale
Psychometric Properties
Validity
Reliability
Adolescents
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International Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 19, Issue 1
Spring 2025
Pages 59-66