Development and initial validation of a parent report measure of youth belongingness and burdensomeness.

Objective: The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) implicates thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness as casually related to suicide desire. The self‐report Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ) is the most commonly used measure to assess belongingness and burdensomeness, including in youth. No parent‐report version of the INQ exists. The current study adapted the ten‐item version of the INQ (INQ‐10) for parent report of youth belongingness and burdensomeness, thereby moving ITS research in youth to a multi‐informant measurement approach, and examined its factor structure and convergent and concurrent validity. Methods: Participants were 168 clinic‐referred youths ages 9–17 years (58.9% female; Mage = 11.91) and their parents. Results: Findings supported a two‐factor structure of the parent INQ. In support of convergent and concurrent validity, parent‐reported belongingness and burdensomeness were significantly associated with youth‐reported belongingness and burdensomeness, suicide ideation, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and impairment. Conclusions: The current study provides initial support the INQ‐parent version as a valid measure to complement youth self‐reports of belongingness and burdensomeness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]