Initial Validation of the Suicide Competency Assessment Form among Behavioral Health Staff in the National Health Services Trust

Abstract

The Suicide Competency Assessment Form (SCAF) provides a framework for suicide prevention skills training. This study assessed SCAF psychometric properties in a sample of behavioral health staff. A cross-sectional survey of National Health Services (NHS) staff from varying disciplines (N = 170) was conducted. The SCAF yielded a 1-factor structure with high internal consistency. Nursing assistants reported lower SCAF scores compared to other professionals. SCAF scores demonstrated positive associations with prior suicide prevention training, job enthusiasm, and several suicide/self-injury prevention outcome expectations (i.e., optimism working with self-harming patients and perceived ability to help self-harming patients). SCAF scores further demonstrated incremental validity in the form of multivariate model associations with suicide/self-injury prevention outcome expectations. Improved job satisfaction mediated the pathway from SCAF scores to perceived ability to help self-harming patients. The SCAF can be utilized in suicide prevention training and clinical supervision.

Keywords:

• burnout
• competency
• job satisfaction
• National Health Services
• staff
• suicide

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed at publisher’s weblink.

Notes

1 Data collection source did not affect SCAF total, t(168) = –0.30, p = .766, or global, t(168) = 0.75, p = .457, scores

2 Low subgroup cell counts for several sub-disciplines, in combination highlighting nursing assistants as potentially varying in suicide-related attitudes, resulted in the decision to collapse other disciplines in order to examine nursing assistants versus other professionals.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by a Visiting Scholar Grant from the University of Central Lancashire awarded to R.C.

Notes on contributors

Robert J. Cramer

Robert J. Cramer, School of Community & Environmental Health, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.

Jane L. Ireland

Jane L. Ireland, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, and Ashworth Research Centre, Mersey Care NHS Trust, UK.

Molly M. Long

Molly M. Long, School of Community & Environmental Health, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.

Victoria Hartley

Victoria Hartley, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, and Ashworth Research Centre, Mersey Care NHS Trust, UK.

Dorian A. Lamis

Dorian A. Lamis, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.