A Psychometric Pilot Study Examining the Functions of Suicidal Communications Using IRT and Factor Analysis

Background: Suicide prevention, an important public health issue, relies on suicidal communications to identify and intervene with those at risk. Scant research tests explicit theories of suicidal communication impeding applications to prevention science. The current study pilots a new measure assessing the functions of suicidal communications using factor analysis and item response theory. Methods: MTurk workers (n = 898) completed an anonymous survey. The original scale included 35 items refined using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, bifactor modeling, and item response theory. Results: The initial EFA identified a two-correlated-factor solution. The two-correlated-factor and unidimensional models yielded a poor fit. A bifactor model yielded a borderline to acceptable fit. The final four items were identified using a bifactor model and item response theory graded response models capturing ambivalence resolution defined as behaviors aimed to aid in suicide decision making. The final model yielded an excellent fit: 𝝌(2)(2) = 1.81, CFI (1.00), TLI (1.00), RMSEA (0.00), and SRMR (0.01). Conclusions: There may be one function of suicidal communications. Disclosure may elicit connection and reasons for living that serve as barriers to suicide and resolve ambivalence. Key limitations include convenience sampling and limited validity measures. Future research should partner with participants to improve scale and theory development efforts.