Clinical Assessments

A guide to the SBQ-R assessment

The SBQ-R assessment is a revised version of a longer questionnaire that helps clinicians identify past and future suicidal behavior in patient populations. This screening tool is a short and accessible resource that providers can use to routinely monitor patients who may be at a heightened risk of experiencing suicidal ideation, thoughts, or behaviors. Combined with other treatment measures, it may aid health workers in delivering tailored, high-quality care.

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About the SBQ-R Assessment

The Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) is a quick and simple self-report instrument that measures past and potential future suicidal behavior. The SBQ-R is a revision of the original 34-item SBQ, which was developed in 1981.

The revised version contains just four items, each of which gives respondents an opportunity to self-report suicidal attitudes, ideation, and past or future suicide attempts. Each item on the assessment has answer choices that correspond with certain point values (from zero to six). However, not all items have seven answer options.

Overall, the purpose of the SBQ-R is to identify individuals who may be at risk for suicidal behavior. A unique trait of this assessment is its ability to help healthcare providers identify patients at risk of future suicidal behavior, not just those who have already exhibited related symptoms in the past.

SBQ-R Confidence Intervals

Both the SBQ-R and its predecessor, the SBQ, can be used to reliably predict and identify signs of suicidal ideation or behavior. The SBQ-R specifically has good internal consistency reliability (α = .97).

Who is the SBQ-R for?

While the SBQ-R has specifically been validated for use among adolescents (ages 13 to 18) by several studies, others have focused on its ability to identify suicidal behavior among university students.

Generally speaking, then, the SBQ-R is best used for young adults. However, it may also be useful for general patient populations or in care settings where patients with psychiatric or mental health disorders receive care.

Understanding the SBQ-R Questionnaire

Each item on the SBQ-R asks respondents to choose a response that best describes their experiences. Since this is a self-report measure, the questionnaire is completed by the patient (or, when necessary, a caregiver or parent) themselves.

As mentioned, each question on the screening tool has several answer choices, each of which is associated with a certain point value. Below is a sample question from the SBQ-R as well as an example of the instructions a patient might see when taking the questionnaire:

Directions: Carefully read each question. Check the number beside the phrase or statement that best applies to you.

To preview an example of a full SBQ-R questionnaire (PDF), click here.

Interpreting SBQ-R Scoring

After a patient has completed the SBQ-R, their scores can be compared to the screener’s scoring guidelines to determine the risk of suicidal behavior. Below is a table displaying the potential responses for each item as well as their corresponding point value, if applicable.

Providers can add up all the scores for the responses circled or checked by the respondent. The total score should fall somewhere between three and 18. Next, the total score can be compared to the ideal cutoff threshold.

  • A cutoff score of 7 or greater is recommended for general populations and has a sensitivity of 0.93 and specificity of 0.95.
  • A cutoff score of 8 or greater is recommended for patients with psychiatric disorders and has a sensitivity of 0.80 and specificity of 0.91.

Clinicians can adjust the cutoff threshold based on their patient populations and their needs. However, any score at or above the threshold chosen should be taken as an indication that a respondent is at risk for suicidal behavior.

The next steps may vary depending on the practice and patient. Further assessments and evaluations for suicidal behavior and related conditions (such as major depressive disorder) may be warranted. Likewise, providers may choose to refer patients to specialists or services that can support their needs.

Access the SBQ-R & More Clinical Assessments

Regardless of how patients score, the SBQ-R can be a powerful tool for identifying those who may be at the highest risk of suicidal ideation and behaviors.

Routine use of the SBQ-R in patient populations that are already at a heightened risk, including those seeking behavioral or mental health care services, can help providers identify patients who may need more support before their symptoms become overwhelming.

As a result, it’s crucial for providers to have access to tools that simplify the process of distributing, collecting, and analyzing routine clinical assessments. Linear Health can help you build custom SBQ-R and other digital clinical assessments for your patients, automate their distribution, and make it simple to transfer patient health data to your records system.

That means you can stay on top of regular assessments without creating administrative burdens for your staff. It also gives patients an opportunity to engage with and participate in their care like never before.

Save time on paperwork and recording patient health information so you can spend more time on what matters most: delivering the best quality care. Linear Health is here to help with tailored tech solutions that make life easier, not more convoluted.

Book a demo with us today to learn more about how our platform can help you support your patients.

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About the author
Sami Malik
Sami Malik, Founder, Linear Health

Sami Malik is the founder at Linear Health, and also writes on topics he is passionate about like technology and mental health care.

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