Psychometric Properties and Correlates of the Lester-Bean Attribution of Causes to Suicide Scale (German Form)

Psychometric properties & correlates of the German form of Lester & Bean’s 1992 Attribution of Causes to Ssuicide Scale were investigated in a sample of 156 Austrians. The three attributional dimensions presented moderate internal consistencies & the 18 items appeared to be factorially orderly, as indicated by exploratory factor analysis. Previous results were replicated, with positive interrelations among all 3 dimensions, but these were largely confined to men. Societal causes of suicide were significantly less frequently endorsed than intrapsychic or interpersonal causes. All observed demographic & attitudinal correlates were of modest magnitude. (25 refs.)