Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) proposes that three requisites must be present for the occurrence of Suicidal Behaviour (SB): perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness and capability for suicide. The Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale-Fearlessness about Death (ACSS-FAD) was developed to measure the third component of the IPTS. Validate ACSS-FAD in a European Spanish Population was the main aim of the study. Secondly, we explored the predictive value of the IPTS components by tracking the occurrence of SB over a one-year follow-up period. A cohort of 327 participants was included in the study. The factor solution was found using both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Cox regression analyses were carried out to investigate the predictive validity of the IPTS components adjusted for a set of sociodemographic and clinical variables. A 6-item version demonstrated good psychometric properties. Cox regression revealed that the interaction of the three IPTS components (perceived burdensomeness*thwarted belongingness*capability for suicide) (Hazard Ratio = 1.00; CI = 0.99–1.01; p = 0.02), predicted the occurrence of SB over the follow-up period. ACSS-FAD European Spanish is a reliable predictor of SB occurred over the follow-up period considered. The findings of this study should be verified by larger sample sizes in future research.

Peer reviewed