Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Self-Efficacy Scale (GKSES) A Psychometric Investigation With a Japanese Sample

• Published in: Crisis : the journal of crisis intervention and suicide prevention Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 128 - 135
• Main Authors: Takahashi, Asumi, Tachikawa, Hirokazu, Morita, Nobuaki, Aiba, Miyuki, Shiratori, Yuki, Nemoto, Kiyotaka, Arai, Tetsuaki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hogrefe Publishing 01-03-2021
• Subjects: Ability; Analysis of Variance; Female; Human; Male; Rating; Self-Efficacy; Suicide Prevention; Test Construction; Test Reliability; Test Validity; Training; gatekeeper; suicide prevention; Gatekeeper Self-Efficacy Scale
• ISSN: 0227-5910; 2151-2396
• DOI: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000698

Background: To date there is no standardized scale
for the evaluation of self-efficacy of gatekeeper skills. Aim:
The aim of this study was to develop the Gatekeeper Self-Efficacy Scale (GKSES), which
consists of nine items assessing laypersons' confidence in their own gatekeeper skills,
and to confirm its reliability and validity. Method:
Altogether 875 participants joined in gatekeeper training between 2010 and 2017 and
completed the GKSES both before and after training. After exploratory factor analysis, we
analyzed Pearson's correlation between total GKSES scores and Attitude Toward Suicide
Scale subscale scores and performed one-way analysis of variance for the score differences
by demographics. Results: The GKSES is a univariate scale with good
fit. Total GKSES score correlated with the appropriate attitudes for suicide prevention.
Self-efficacy ratings after training improved irrespective of attribute. Participants who
had had contact with suicidal individuals and those who had received previous suicide
prevention training had high self-efficacy ratings, while a greater improvement was seen
in the ratings of participants who had not had any previous contact or training.
Limitations: It is necessary to assess the GKSES
using more participants across other populations. Conclusion: The GKSES is a simple and useful measure
with good internal consistency and validity for self-efficacy assessment of gatekeeper
skills.