Development of the Reasons for Living Inventory for Young Adults

A series of 3 studies, involving a total of 1186 subjects, was done at 2 midwestern universities to develop initial items for the Reasons for Living Inventory for Young Adults, refine item selection, & demonstrate its psychometric properties. Although not directly compared, it appears the Reasons for Living Inventory for Young Adults has greater specificity for exploring aspects of the protective construct & may be more parsimonious than the College Student Reasons for Living Inventory. The importance of assessing protective factors in addition to negative risk factors for suicidality is discussed. Directions for future research are also discussed. (56 refs.)