Validating Parental Suicide Prevention Communication Self-Efficacy Scales for Latino Parents in the U.S

Background and Purpose: Suicide is a growing crisis among Latino adolescents in the U.S. Involving parents in suicide prevention and treatment is crucial, but little is known about Latino parents’ self-efficacy in suicide prevention. Currently, few studies consider the heterogeneity of the Latino parental population and how various cultural and linguistic traditions may influence parental involvement. To meet these critical needs for culturally sensitive tools in suicide prevention among Latino parents of U.S. adolescents, our research team adapted the Parental Suicide Prevention Communication Self-Efficacy scale (PSPCSE; Czyz et al., 2018), developing both English (PSPCSE-Lat-E) and Spanish (PSPCSE-Lat-S) versions to ensure cultural relevance and effectiveness for this population.

Methods: The study was conducted in four phases. First, the PSPCSE scale was adapted in consultation with experts in Latino family and mental health to incorporate culturally sensitive language and lethal means safety. Second, the adapted scales were embedded in a survey administered to Latino parents of adolescent children living in the U.S. (N = 634) recruited via Qualtrics panels and social media posts. The survey contained either the PSPCSE-Lat-E or the PSPCSE-Lat-S, along with scales for construct validation and demographic questions. Third, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted to examine the new scales’ psychometric properties. Lastly, an Item Response Theory analysis was conducted to explore differences between the English-language dominant (U.S. born) and the Spanish-language dominant (foreign-born) Latino parents.

Results: Analysis revealed distinct factor structures: a two-factor structure for the PSPCSE-Lat-E (48.8% variance, ω = .88) and a three-factor structure for the PSPCSE-Lat-S (51.6% variance, ω = .82). PSPCSE-Lat-E respondents reported higher confidence in discussing suicide content, while PSPCSE-Lat-S respondents showed greater comfort with emotional support items. PSPCSE-Lat-S suicide items demonstrated exceptional discrimination despite lower means, suggesting heightened cultural sensitivity.

Conclusions and Implications: The PSPCSE-Lat-E and PSPCSE-Lat-S are reliable and valid tools for assessing suicide prevention communication self-efficacy among Latino parents of adolescents in the U.S. Social workers can use these tools to assess Latino parent suicide prevention self-efficacy, therefore targeting their interventions more carefully. Organizations and community centers can utilize these tools to better support Latino families, ensuring that prevention programs are culturally appropriate and effective. Researchers can use these tools to develop and test interventions to empower the diversity of Latino parents to engage in suicide prevention communication with their adolescents. This study fosters a greater understanding of suicide prevention across culturally and linguistically diverse Latino communities, promoting an environment where parents feel equipped to address suicidality. Additionally, the findings emphasize the importance of culturally sensitive interventions to address implicit and explicit biases in suicide prevention efforts involving Latino parents. The researchers hope to provide evidence-based tools that can inform socially just policies and practices to reduce suicide among vulnerable communities.

Reference: Czyz, E. K., Horwitz, A. G., Yeguez, C. E., Ewell Foster, C. J. & King, C. A. (2018). Parental Self-Efficacy to Support Teens During a Suicidal Crisis and Future Adolescent Emergency Department Visits and Suicide Attempts, Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 47(S1), pp. S384–S396