Psychometric properties of the Malay suicidal behaviors questionnaire-revised (SBQ-R) in Malaysian undergraduates

• Main Authors: Siau, Ching Sin, Tan, Yee Kee, Norhayati Ibrahim, Kairi Kõlves, Jie Zhang, Muhamad Nur Fariduddin, Chua, Bee Seok, Cheah, Whye Lian, Sharifah Munirah Syed Elia, Siti Nazilah Mat Ali, Serena In, Lim, Alex Lian Sheng, Geetha Subramaniam, Walton Wider, Sherina Mohd Sidik, Tan, Siew Tin, Bob Lew, Lai, Fong Chan
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) 2024
• Subjects: HV6251-6773.55 Crimes and offenses; LC8-6691 Special aspects of education
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/42191/1/ABSTRACT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/42191/2/FULL%20TEXT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/42191/; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14111085

The psychometric properties of the Malay Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) need to be tested as it is increasingly utilized, and there is a lack of a brief, validated scale to examine suicidal behaviors in Malaysia. A total of 713 and 715 undergraduates answered the English and Malay SBQ-R, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis derived a one-factor solution, with a total explained variance of 58.0% accounted for by the four items. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the one-factor model for the Malay SBQ-R, with acceptable fit indices (χ2/df = 0.451, comparative and Tucker–Lewis fit indices = ≥1.000, standardized root mean square residual = 0.014, root mean square error of approximation = 0.000, and 90% CI [0.000, 0.083]). Measurement invariance was achieved when comparing the SBQ-R between the English and Malay versions, indicating that both versions are similar in Malaysian undergraduates. Convergent validity was established through a strong correlation between the Malay SBQ-R and the Malay Yatt Suicide Attitude Scale (r = 0.74; p < 0.001). Good internal consistency was achieved for both the English (α = 0.83; ω = 0.85) and Malay (α = 0.81; ω = 0.84) versions. The Malay SBQ-R has adequate validity and reliability for use in Malaysian undergraduates.