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The factor structure of the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ) was investigated in 2 studies. In the first study, the SOQ was administered to 568 participants to investigate the relative strength of 3 competing latent structure models previously identified in the literature. Confirmatory factor analyses provided no support for any of the prior models. An exploratory factor analysis of these data resulted in a weak 2-factor structure accounting for only 15.33% of the common variance. In the second study, this 2-factor structure was evaluated using SOQ data from 288 college students. Confirmatory factor analysis results failed to support the 2-factor model. Based on these results, the authors recommend that future research efforts should focus on developing a more contemporary and psychometrically sound measure of attitudes toward suicide.

The factor structure of the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ) was investigated in 2 studies. In the first study, the SOQ was administered to 568 participants to investigate the relative strength of 3 competing latent structure models previously identified in the literature. Confirmatory factor analyses provided no support for any of the prior models. An exploratory factor analysis of these data resulted in a weak 2-factor structure accounting for only 15.33% of the common variance. In the second study, this 2-factor structure was evaluated using SOQ data from 288 college students. Confirmatory factor analysis results failed to support the 2-factor model. Based on these results, the authors recommend that future research efforts should focus on developing a more contemporary and psychometrically sound measure of attitudes toward suicide. (Contains 3 tables.)

The Perceived Wellness Survey (PWS; T. Adams, 1995; T. Adams, J. Bezner, & M. Steinhardt, 1997) is a recently developed instrument intended to operationalize the comprehensive Perceived Wellness Model (T. Adams, J. Bezner, & M. Steinhardt, 1997), an innovative model that attempts to include the balance of multiple life activities in its evaluation of well-being. Two university samples (N = 317) were used to (a) examine the psychometric properties of the PWS, (b) determine how well the PWS represents the Perceived Wellness Model, and (c) ascertain how well the PWS relates to psychological functioning. Results suggest that the PWS may have potential as a psychometrically sound instrument that does relate in hypothesized ways to standardized measures of mental health. Specifically, a revised 33-item PWS accounted for 29.3% of the variance in Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (A. T. Beck, R. A. Steer, & G. K. Brown, 1996) scores, 11.4% of the variance in Beck Anxiety Inventory (A. T. Beck & R. A. Steer, 1993) scores, and 18.2% of the variance in scores on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-21 (D. E. Green, F. H. Walkey, I. A. McCormick, & A. J. W. Taylor, 1988) when controlling for impression management. Despite this support for the overall PWS, the authors' examination found no psychometric evidence for the existence of separate subscale dimensions, as suggested by the Perceived Wellness Model, the theory upon which the PWS was designed. Implications for these findings are presented.

Investigated the psychometric integrity of the College Student Reasons for Living Inventory of suicidal behaviors in a sample of 511 undergraduate students from a large Midwestern university. Results tentatively support the scale's continued use and development. (KW)

Reviews the development and psychometric analyses of the Suicide Assessment Checklist (SAC), a 21-item, 2-part instrument constructed for use as a standardized component of a comprehensive suicide risk assessment and documentation strategy in the emergency evaluation of risk for suicidal behavior. Results suggest SAC is psychometrically sound. (JBJ)

Data from 1,376 respondents on a 1994 scale to measure depressive and manic experiences devised by Thalbourne, Delin, and Bassett (1994) were analyzed. Internal consistency reliability estimates for the Total scale (.66), the Depressive subscale (.63), and the Manic subscale (.45) were poor to marginal, and a confirmatory factor analysis did not support the two-subscale structure of the scale. These results, considered in conjunction with those of previous psychometric analyses of the Manic-Depressive Scale, cast doubt on its usefulness for research and clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which cross-validates the five-factor interpretative model of the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ) reported by Rogers and DeShon (1992). Psychometric status of the SOQ; Factor analysis; Test-retest reliability; Internal consistency reliability; Emotional perturbation items.

Investigates the psychometric integrity of the College Student Reasons for Living Inventory (Westefeld, Cardin and Deaton, 1992) which addressed the issue of college student suicidality. Confirmatory factor analysis; Exploratory factor analysis; Contrasted group analyses.

The Perceived Weliness Survey (PWS; T. Adams, 1995; T. Adams, J. Bezner, & M. Steinhardt, 1997) is a recently developed instrument intended to operationalize the comprehensive Perceived Weliness Model (T. Adams, J. Bezner, & M. Steinhardt, 1997), an innovative model that attempts to include the balance of multiple life activities in its evaluation of well-being. Two university samples (N = 317) were used to (a) examine the psychometric properties of the PWS, (b) determine how well the PWS represents the Perceived Wellness Model, and (c) ascertain how well the PWS relates to psychological functioning. Results suggest that the PWS may have potential as a psychometrically sound instrument that does relate in hypothesized ways to standardized measures of mental health. Specifically, a revised 33-item PWS accounted for 29.3% of the variance in Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (A. T. Beck, R. A. Steer, & U. K. Brown, 1996) scores, 11.4% of the variance in Beck Anxiety Inventory (A. T. Beck & R. A. Steer, 1993) scores, and 18.2% of the variance in scores on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-21 (D. E. Green, F. H. Walkey, I. A. McCormick, & A. J. W. Taylor, 1988) when controlling for impression management. Despite this support for the overall PWS, the authors' examination found no psychometric evidence for the existence of separate subscale dimensions, as suggested by the Perceived Wellness Model, the theory upon which the PWS was designed. Implications for these findings are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]