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Abstract: Background: Research on the factor structures of the Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI; [Beck, A.T., Kovacs, M., Weissman, M., 1979. Assessment of suicidal intention: the Scale for Suicide Ideation. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 47, 343–352]) and the Modified Scale for Suicide Ideation (MSSI; [Miller, I.W., Norman. W.H., Bishop, S.B., and Dow, M.G., 1986. The modified scale for suicidal ideation: reliability and validity. J Consult Clin Psychol, 54, 724–725]) in younger adults have tended to yield two factor solutions. The purpose of the current study was to examine the factor structure of the SSI in an older population in order to determine whether the factor structure was similar and, if so, whether the factors related to other clinical and demographic correlates. Methods: 199 participants (M age 57, S.D.) were selected from a combined database of psychiatric outpatients and inpatients over the age of 49 currently experiencing suicidal ideation. Principal axis factoring was used in order to determine the factor structure of the SSI. In addition, we ran correlations and regression analyses to determine the relation of each factor with other clinical and demographic correlates. Results: Consistent with prediction, we found a two-factor solution. Also consistent with predictions, clinical and demographic correlates related differentially to each of the factors. Limitations: The relatively small sample size and the fact that our sample was predominantly Caucasian. Conclusion: The current study has provided data on the factor structure of the SSI in an older population, demonstrating that suicidal ideation in this group is similar to younger age groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Much of the suicidology literature focuses on establishing contextual risk factors for suicidal behavior. However, the study of the parameters of suicidal behavior (e.g., intensity, duration, and variability) has been somewhat neglected [Joiner, T., Rudd, M.D., 2000. Intensity and duration of suicidal crises vary as a function of previous suicide attempts and negative life events. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 68, 909–916]. Having previously established a relationship between variability in suicidal ideation and a previous history of suicide attempts [Witte, T.K., Fitzpatrick, K.K., Warren, K.L, Schatschneider, C., Schmidt, N.B., submitted for publication. Naturalistic Evaluation of Suicidal Ideation: Variability and Relation to Attempt Status], we felt it important to assess the liability conferred by a variable pattern of ideation compared to the intensity and duration of suicidal thoughts. We also examined if there was an interaction between gender and the parameters of intensity, duration, and variability. Method: One hundred eight participants (54 non-attempters, 35 single attempters, and 19 multiple attempters) completed the Suicide Probability Scale every day for 4 weeks, allowing us to measure the parameters of interest. These variables were entered into a regression model as predictors of previous suicide attempts. Results: Consistent with prediction, high variability of ideation was the only significant predictor of previous attempt status. In addition, an interaction between gender and variability in suicidal ideation suggested that variability appeared more critical in predicting previous attempts for males. Limitations: The limited number of multiple attempters in our sample and the use of college students limit the current study. Conclusions: Variability appears to be the most potent predictor of attempt status among the parameters of suicidal ideation examined in the current study. This relationship appears to be particularly important in males, suggesting that fluctuating levels of suicidal ideation may confer future risk for suicide. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]