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    Suicide & risk · 4 items · 3–18 · Osman A, Bagge CL, Gutierrez PM, Konick LC, Kopper BA, Barrios FX. The Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R): validation with clinical and nonclinical samples. Assessment. 2001;8(4):443-454.

    Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised: Scoring, Cutoffs & Interpretation

    Four-item self-report screen of suicidal ideation and behaviour.

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    SBQ-R0 / 4

    Developed by Osman and colleagues (2001). Please read each question carefully and choose the response that best describes you.

    01

    Have you ever thought about or attempted to kill yourself? (lifetime)

    Item score-
    02

    How often have you thought about killing yourself in the past year?

    Item score-
    03

    Have you ever told someone that you were going to commit suicide, or that you might do it? (lifetime)

    Item score-
    04

    How likely is it that you will attempt suicide someday?

    Item score-
    0 of 4 answered0 / 18

    02 - The clinician's brief

    Last reviewed: · Reviewed by Lotte Kjær Svalberg

    01 - Scoring & cutoffs

    How scoring works.

    Four items, each contributing points as shown against the response options; totals run from 3 to 18. A total of 7 or above is the validated cutoff for adults in the general population (sensitivity 93%, specificity 95%; Osman et al., 2001), and 8 or above is the validated cutoff for adult psychiatric inpatients (sensitivity 80%, specificity 91%). Scores at or above the relevant cutoff warrant a fuller clinical risk assessment.

    The SBQ-R is a screening aid, not a risk-prediction instrument or a substitute for clinical assessment. Any endorsement of recent ideation, a plan, or a past attempt merits direct clinical follow-up regardless of the total score.

    Score
    Severity
    Interpretation
    3–6
    Below screening threshold
    In the general adult population, scores below 7 fall under the validated cutoff.
    7–7
    At or above the general-population cutoff
    At or above the validated cutoff of 7 or more for adults in the general population (sensitivity 93%, specificity 95%; Osman et al., 2001). Warrants fuller clinical risk assessment.
    8–18
    At or above the clinical cutoff
    At or above the validated cutoff of 8 or more for adult psychiatric inpatients (sensitivity 80%, specificity 91%), and above the general-population cutoff of 7. Warrants fuller clinical risk assessment.

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