Factor Structure of the Suicide Cognitions Scale in a National Sample of Female Veterans

Abstract

Objective

The Suicide Cognitions Scale (SCS) may be beneficial for suicide risk assessment. However, research has identified diverging factor structures and focused primarily on samples composed of males. Given limited prior research with female veterans, who have experienced increased rates of suicide, we examined the factor structure of the SCS among a national sample of female veterans.

Method

Four-hundred thirty-one female veterans using and not using Veterans Health Administration care participated in an anonymous survey.

Results

Exploratory factor analysis identified a three-factor solution, consistent with some prior research. This factor structure was not replicated in a confirmatory factor analysis.

Conclusions

Findings did not identify a consistent factor structure for the SCS among a sample of female veterans. Research is warranted to determine if suicide-specific cognitions differ among female veterans and to identify SCS items that should be added or removed to produce a more consistent factor structure among female veterans.

Highlights

• A consistent factor structure of the SCS among female Veterans was not identified

• Suicide-specific cognitions may differ among female Veterans

• Addition or removal of SCS items may be warranted in this population

Keywords:

• Female
• suicide-specific cognitions
• veteran

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported in part by the Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) for Veteran Suicide Prevention and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policy of the VA or the US government.

Notes on contributors

Ryan Holliday

Ryan Holliday, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention; Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Alexandra L. Schneider

Alexandra L. Schneider, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention.

Christin Miller

Christin Miller, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention.

Jeri E. Forster

Jeri E. Forster, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Lindsey L. Monteith

Lindsey L. Monteith, Rocky Mountain Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center for Veteran Suicide Prevention; Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.