David B. Goldston

Measuring suicidal behavior and risk in children and adolescents.

This work offers practitioners and researchers practical information on a wide range of instruments used to evaluate suicidal behaviours in children and adolescents. In this critical and comprehensive reference book, the author describes conceptual, definitional and psychometric issues important in evaluating and comparing various assessment instruments and then focuses on available instruments that can be used for screening purposes or as adjuncts in detecting, describing or estimating the risk of suicidal behaviour. Among the types of instruments reviewed are psychiatric diagnostic interviews, self-report inventories and survey screening items developed for several specific populations such as Native American youths, runaway and homeless youths and gay, lesbian and bisexual youths. The author also discusses clinical considerations in the choice of instruments and has included recommendations for future research in this area as well as a set of decision rules to help readers choose their instruments that meet their specific needs.