The predictive validity of the Suicide Probability Scale in a sample of male inmates in a psychiatric center
This study examined the predictive validity of the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS, 1988) in a high-risk population of adult men in a psychiatric prison setting. As part of a suicide prevention measure implemented at the Regional Center for Mental Health (MHRC), one of the five psychiatric centers of the Correctional Services of Canada, the SPS was administered to all inmates upon admission and at intervals of one to three months. The records of sixty participants (n = 60) were reviewed; half of these participants had made a recent suicide attempt. Results support the predictive validity of the SPS. ROC analyses using the most recent total SPS score were significant, with an area under the curve of .73. Significant findings were also found for the Hopelessness and Suicide Ideation subscales. These data indicate that it is important to assess suicidal risk regularly with at-risk patients.