Using the Bioecological Theory of Child Development and the framework for Vulnerability andAutonomy from a Universalist Perspective, the current study followed Crocker and Algina’s(2008) steps for instrument development to construct the Child Suicide Risk Identification Scale(CSRI-S). The purpose of this study was to establish and validate a new instrument to identifyand measure suicidal risk factors in young children between the ages of 5 and 11. Using Crockerand Algina’s (2008) first three steps of investigation (n=595), a confirmatory factor analysis wasconducted to examine a theoretical eight-factor model. Results revealed that the eight-factormodel was not an adequate fit. Thus, confirmatory factor analysis was conducted on alternateproposed six-factor models, which revealed that a six-factor structure including 33 itemsprovided the best fit for the data. The CSRI-S showed excellent internal consistency according toOmega values and Cronbach’s alphas. The CSRI-S also showed strong convergent validity withmeasures of child suicide and irritability. Discriminant validity was established between the totalscore of the CSRI-S and measures of child protective factors. Implications are provided forchildren, clinicians, training, counselor education, and policy.
