The Factor Structure, Reliability, and Validity of the Persian Version of the Suicidal Desire Scale Based on Interpersonal Suicide Theory (IPTS) in Iranian Students

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Given the importance of identifying at-risk individuals, it is necessary to have valid assessment tools. The aim of the present study, using an Iranian student population, was to investigates the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ) based on the Interpersonal Suicide Theory (IPTS).

Using translation and back-translation method, the English version of INQ was translated into the Persian language. The sample consisted of 378 students from three universities who were asked to complete the research measures including INQ, Beck Suicide Inventory and Beck Hopelessness Scale. The psychometric properties were then assessed through internal consistency, test-retest, content validity, construct validity and convergent validity methods.

Cronbach's alpha values were favorable for all subscales and the whole scale in both genders and all participants. The factor structure of the scale, using confirmatory factor analysis, showed acceptable material fit. Moreover, the correlation coefficients between the subscales and convergent validity with Beck Suicide Inventory and Beck Hopelessness Scale demonstrated the validity of the scale.