Validation of the Suicidal Ideation and Behavior Scale (SIBS-C) for Use With Children and Adolescents

Theoretical Background: Suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior are common among children and adolescents. In German-speaking countries, however, there is no validated questionnaire for the assessment of suicidal thoughts, intentions, plans, and attempts. Objective: In the present study, the Suicidal Ideation and Behavior Scale (SIBS) was evaluated for its applicability to children and adolescents. Method: The SIBS was first rated by experts and then examined in a clinical sample of 164 children and adolescents (70 % female; age, M = 15.55, SD = 2.24) with regard to its psychometric properties. Results: Factor analytic investigation confirmed the unidimensional structure of the questionnaire. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was high (alpha = .89, omega = .90) and strong positive associations with various measures of distress were found. Discussion and Conclusion: Overall, the first results indicate that the SIBS-C is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring suicidal ideation and behavior in children and adolescents that can be applied in research and clinical practice.