Validation of the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale–Fearlessness About Death (ACSS-FAD) Among Colombian Young Adults
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64966/rl.1628Keywords:
Acquired Capability, suicide, mental health, interpersonal theory of suicide, validity, reliabilityAbstract
The interpersonal theory of suicide is an alternative in identifying high risk of consummate suicide in people. It is based on three core constructs: thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and acquired capability, each of which can be assessed independently. However, psychometric evidence for the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale–Fearlessness About Death (ACSS-FAD) in the Colombian population remains limited. The aim of the present study was to validate the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale–Fearlessness About Death (ACSS-FAD). An instrumental research design was employed, involving 300 Colombian young adults. Linguistic and content validity analyses were conducted, followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The results supported a bifactor structure for the ACSS-FAD, with satisfactory model fit indices [CMIN/DF = 2.675; TLI = .944; CFI = .981; RMSEA = .075; GFI = .983] and adequate reliability estimates [α = .71; ω = .76; ωₕ = .32; ωₕ∞ = .40; ωₜ = .81]. The findings indicate that the scale demonstrates adequate psychometric properties for use with Colombian young adults. Future research should examine factorial invariance and discriminant validity, as well as further explore the dimensions associated with fearlessness about death and fear of death.
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