(PS9-13) Measurement Invariance of the Interpersonal Hopelessness Scale

Abstract Text: Psychological theories have been proposed to better understand the development and maintenance of suicidal ideation to support risk assessment and clinical efforts. The Interpersonal Theory of suicide (ITS) suggests that hopelessness regarding perceived burdensomeness (PB) and thwarted belongingness (TB) are critical to the development of suicidal ideation. To assess hopelessness related to TB and PB, the Interpersonal Hopelessness Scale (IHS) was developed. The IHS has shown to fit both a one and two-factor model. Additionally, the IHS has shown to hold concurrent and construct validity. As not all groups experience suicide-related cognitions similarly, it is essential to evaluate the degree to which the IHS is generalizable to specific subgroups within the population, thus, an assessment of measurement invariance is warranted. Due to inconsistencies regarding the factor structure of the IHS, this study sought to, first, evaluate the factor structure of the IHS. Following, an assessment of measurement invariance across race and gender was conducted. Finally, among groups yielding measurement invariance, a comparison of latent group means was conducted. Eligible participants (N=2000) recruited from an undergraduate student research participation system between 2022 and 2023 completed a series of self-report measures including the IHS. Confirmatory Factor analysis (CFA) of the IHS was conducted utilizing the WLMSV estimator. CFA models of a one and two-factor structure were compared to determine best model fit. Model fit statistics considered were the Comparative fit index (CFI), Tucker-Lewis Index (TLI), root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR). Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analyses (MGCFAs) were conducted comparing participants by race and gender. Configural, metric and scalar invariance were tested within all these groups. To evaluate latent group means, the latent mean of the reference group was fixed to zero within models that were scalar invariant. Fit indices for all CFAs and MGCFAs were based on Hu & Bentler’s (1999) guidelines. Results support a two-factor factor structure of the IHS (hopelessness regarding PB and TB). MGCFA analyses indicated that the IHS yields all levels of measurement invariance across White and Black as well as cisgender men and cisgender women. A comparison of latent group means indicated that those who identify as Black do not report significantly different scores of interpersonal hopelessness for either the PB (z= -.981, p= .326) or TB (z= .093, p= .720) subscales; additionally, no significant differences were found when comparing latent group means of cisgender women to cisgender men for either subscale of PB (z= .094, p= .925) or TB (z= -.077, p= .362). These results provide continued support for the two-factor structure of the IHS. Additionally, support for measurement invariance among Black and White participants, and cisgender men and cisgender women was found, providing support for the use of the IHS across diverse populations. Finally, no significant differences were found in experiences of IHS across subgroups, indicating perceptions of interpersonal hopelessness may be similarly experienced across these subgroups.