Psychometric Properties of the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation in a Diverse Sample.

This article focuses on evaluating the psychometric properties and generalizability of the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSS) within a diverse sample of 1,026 minoritized adults. Using item response theory (IRT) and differential item functioning (DIF) analyses, the study found that the original 19-item BSS and previously proposed 5-item versions showed model misfit in this diverse sample, whereas a reduced 14-item scale demonstrated good unidimensionality, item fit, and measurement invariance across race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, social class, and suicide attempt history. An alternative 8-item version also performed well but exhibited more DIF across subgroups, suggesting potential bias with further item reduction. The findings caution against using abbreviated 5-item BSS versions developed in majority-aligned samples for diverse populations and recommend the 14-item BSS as a more valid and equitable tool for assessing suicidal ideation severity in minoritized groups.