Citation

Aldalaykeh M, Dalky H, Shahrour G, Rababa M. Heliyon 2020; 6(4): e03877.

Affiliation

College of Nursing, Adult Health Nursing Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, 22110, Irbid, Jordan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03877

PMID

32373752

PMCID

PMC7193320

Abstract

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death. Suicide stigma and literacy may affect the rate of suicide and help-seeking behaviors. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the Stigma of Suicide Scale-short form (SOSS-SF) and Literacy of Suicide Scale (LOSS). The sample included 160 Jordanian university students. Reliability analysis showed acceptable Cronbach's alpha levels of the three SOSS-SF subscales (stigmatization, isolation, and glorification subscales). Factor analysis supported the construct validity of the SOSS-SF by showing three factor structure similar to the three original subscales. LOSS scores showed low literacy level about suicide with a passing rate of 55% and a mean score of 5.63 out 12. Students had more difficulty in answering questions related to signs/symptoms and risk factors of suicide. This study will enable Arabic clinicians to use these tools which assess important aspects about suicide.

© 2020 The Author(s).

Language: en

Keywords

Literacy level; Mental illness; Psychology; Psychometrics; Stigma; Suicide