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. 2023 Dec;53(6):1010-1024.
doi: 10.1111/sltb.12999. Epub 2023 Sep 13.

The Suicide Dot Probe Task: Psychometric properties and validity in relation to suicide-related outcomes

Megan L Rogers  1 , Catarina L Carosa  2 , Lauren A Haliczer  3 , Christopher D Hughes  4   5 , Casey A Schofield  6 , Michael F Armey  4   5
Affiliations

The Suicide Dot Probe Task: Psychometric properties and validity in relation to suicide-related outcomes

Megan L Rogers et al. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Attentional biases to suicide-related stimuli have been linked to suicide-related outcomes. However, behavioral tasks that have been previously modified to capture suicide-specific attentional biases have demonstrated inconsistent reliability and validity. Adaptation of the Dot Probe Task, a computerized assessment that has been adapted to study a wide variety of biases, may be a promising candidate for assessing suicide-specific biases.

Methods: In 280 recently discharged inpatients (51% male; Mage = 40.22 years), we evaluated the psychometric properties of a modified Suicide Dot Probe Task. Participants completed this task and assessments of suicidal thoughts and behaviors at baseline and 6-month follow-up.

Results: The Suicide Dot Probe Task demonstrated poor-to-moderate internal consistency and poor test-retest reliability, and participant response times were slower to suicide-specific and dysphoric stimuli than positive stimuli. However, there were no differences based on the presence or characteristics of recent or lifetime suicidal ideation or attempts. Participants' suicide-specific biases were not predictive of suicidal ideation or attempts at follow-up.

Conclusions: The Suicide Dot Probe Task exhibited questionable reliability, and differences in attentional biases were not associated with suicidal ideation or attempts. This study contributes to a body of research demonstrating the questionable utility of several behavioral tasks to study suicide-specific attentional biases.

Keywords: attention bias; dot probe task; reliability; suicide; validity.

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References

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