Examining the Construct Validity of Experimental Suicide Images Among Young Adults.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The purpose of this study was to validate and provide detailed norms on suicide images commonly used in experimental suicide research, and to examine whether appraisals of suicide images varied based on image features and prior suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs).

Method

Young adults (N = 264) rated the extent to which images depicted someone "trying to kill themselves on purpose or who did kill themselves on purpose" (i.e., suicide ratings). Suicide ratings were examined descriptively and with bivariate and multivariable statistics.

Results

Suicide images demonstrated construct validity at image and aggregate levels. Further, suicide images looked more like suicide than pleasant, neutral, and interpersonal violence images, bs ≥ 5.653, ts ≥ 52.505, ps < 0

SUBMITTER: Martin LW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11948950 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature