Work

The Finnish Suicide Competency Assessment Form among mental health providers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The Suicide Competency Assessment Form-Revised (SCAF-R) has only been used in English-speaking samples. The present study tested psychometric properties of the Finnish Version (SCAF-FV), a translated version of the original instrument. Finnish mental health providers and trainees (N = 101) completed an online survey assessing demographics, suicide prevention competencies, social desirability, and responses to a brief vignette. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a single-factor SCAF-FV structure with high internal consistency. Supporting its validity, the SCAF-FV showed a significant association with years of clinical experience, and was unrelated to socially desirable responding. However, the SCAF-FV was unrelated to suicide knowledge and did not predict provider decisions about a mock patient.

Source: Death Studies

DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2025.2561075

Authors: Robert J. Cramer, Shannon M. Cain, Sasha Zabelski, Vojna Tapola, Anna-Lotta Lappalainen, Katariina Keinonen

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of Jyväskylä

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funders: Harvard University, Jyväskylän Yliopisto