Psychometric Properties of the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview–Short Form Among U.S. Active Duty Military Service Members and Veterans

Authors

• Ian H. Stanley, VA Boston Healthcare System
• Brian P. Marx, VA Boston Healthcare System
• Brooke A. Fina, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Stacey Young-McCaughan, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Hannah C. Tyler, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Denise M. Sloan, VA Boston Healthcare System
• Abby E. Blankenship, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Katherine A. Dondanville, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• James L. Walker, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Joseph W. Boffa, VA Medical Center
• Craig J. Bryan, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
• Lily A. Brown, University of Pennsylvania
• Casey L. Straud, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Jim Mintz, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Chadi G. Abdallah, Baylor College of Medicine
• Sudie E. Back, Medical University of South Carolina
• Tabatha H. Blount, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Bryann B. DeBeer, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine
• Julianne Flanagan, Medical University of South Carolina
• Edna B. Foa, University of Pennsylvania
• Peter T. Fox, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Steffany J. Fredman, Pennsylvania State University
• John Krystal, VA Connecticut Healthcare System
• Meghan E. McDevitt-Murphy, University of Memphis
• Donald D. McGeary, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Kristi E. Pruiksma, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Patricia A. Resick, Duke University Health System
• John D. Roache, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Abstract

We assessed the interrater reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview-Short Form (SITBI-SF) in a sample of 1,944 active duty service members and veterans seeking services for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related conditions. The SITBI-SF demonstrated high interrater reliability and good convergent and discriminant validity. The measurement properties of the SITBI-SF were comparable across service members and veterans. Approximately 8% of participants who denied a history of suicidal ideation on the SITBI-SF reported suicidal ideation on a separate self-report questionnaire (i.e., discordant responders). Discordant responders reported significantly higher levels of PTSD symptoms than those who denied suicidal ideation on both response formats. Findings suggest that the SITBI-SF is a reliable and valid interview-based measure of suicide-related thoughts and behaviors for use with military service members and veterans. Suicide risk assessment might be optimized if the SITBI-SF interview is combined with a self-report measure of related constructs.

Publication Title

Assessment

Recommended Citation

Stanley, I., Marx, B., Fina, B., Young-McCaughan, S., Tyler, H., Sloan, D., Blankenship, A., Dondanville, K., Walker, J., Boffa, J., Bryan, C., Brown, L., Straud, C., Mintz, J., Abdallah, C., Back, S., Blount, T., DeBeer, B., Flanagan, J., Foa, E., Fox, P., Fredman, S., Krystal, J., McDevitt-Murphy, M., McGeary, D., Pruiksma, K., Resick, P., & Roache, J. (2023). Psychometric Properties of the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview–Short Form Among U.S. Active Duty Military Service Members and Veterans. Assessment, 30 (7), 2332-2346. https://doi.org/10.1177/10731911221143979