Psychometric Properties of Persian Short Forms of the Literacy and Stigma of Suicide Scales on the Iranian Population

Abstract

Background: Suicide represents a significant global health issue, shaped by a complex interplay of psychological, cultural, and economic factors. Key objectives in suicide prevention programs include reducing the stigma associated with suicide and enhancing suicide literacy. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian short forms of the Literacy of Suicide Scale and the Stigma of Suicide Scale (LOSS-SF and SOSS-SF). Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized an online survey to gather data from 240 individuals in the general population. The scales were translated from English to Persian and then back-translated into English by professional translators, with the translation quality confirmed by an independent review team. The scales' validity, reliability, and factor structure were thoroughly analyzed. Results: The scales' internal consistency was determined using Cronbach’s alpha, with LOSS-SF scoring 0.76 and SOSS-SF scoring 0.79. The intraclass correlation coefficients for LOSS-SF and SOSS-SF were 0.81 and 0.75, respectively. Confirmatory factor analysis affirmed the structure of both scales. Conclusions: The findings suggest that LOSS-SF and SOSS-SF possess appropriate psychometric properties for the Iranian context, enabling Persian-speaking professionals to use these tools for assessing key aspects of suicide.