[Assessing desire for suicide: first results on psychometric properties of the German version of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ)].

OBJECTIVES

The Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ) assesses desire for suicide according to the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. Psychometric properties of the German version of the INQ are investigated.

METHODS

The INQ was applied in a sample of 281 undergraduate students to investigate dimensionality, reliability and validity.

RESULTS

The 2-factorial structure of the original version was confirmed for the German version of the INQ in this sample. The subscales "Perceived Burdensomeness" (α = 0.88) and "Thwarted Belongingness" (α = 0.83) show very good internal consistencies. Both subscales show medium range correlations with depressiveness. There are significantly higher levels of "Perceived Burdensomeness" and "Thwarted Belongingness" in participants with current suicidal ideation or prior suicidal or self-injuring behaviour.

CONCLUSION

These findings show that the German version of the INQ has good psychometric properties. Further research is needed to replicate these findings in clinical samples, and to test the utility of the INQ in predicting and preventing suicidal behaviour in patients at risk.