Reliabilities, Validities, and Cutoff Scores of the Depression Hopelessness Suicide Screening Form Among Women Offenders

• NCJ Number: 235919
• Journal: Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 38 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2011 Pages: 779-795
• Author(s): Daryl G. Kroner; Tamara Kang; Jeremy F. Mills; Andrew J. R. Harris; Michelle M. Green
• Date Published: August 2011
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Guideline
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the Depression Hopelessness Suicide Screening Form among female offenders.

Abstract

Depression and hopelessness can be associated with negative outcomes among offenders, such as reduced treatment impact, institutional misconduct, suicide risk, and health care costs. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of the Depression Hopelessness Suicide Screening Form (DHS) among women offenders. The DHS Depression and Hopelessness scales showed good internal consistency and testretest reliability. Convergent and discriminant validities were supported through the relationship of the DHS with other established scales of depression, mood, suicidal intentions, and psychological distress. Optimal and conservative cutoff scores for the DHS Depression and Hopelessness scales were evaluated against criteria from a DSM-IV-based interview. Discussion centers on the importance of gender-based norms when assessing women offenders. (Published Abstract)