Using the SAD PERSONS Scale to Promote Supervisee Suicide Assessment Knowledge

Abstract

A Randomized Groups, Posttest-Only Design was used within this quasi-experimental study to determine if supervisees who recived one of two instructional teaching methods of the SAD PERSONS Scale or a contorl group who were not instructed in use of the scale demonstrated differences in their abilities to accurately assess suicide risk or adequately assign appropriate clinical interventions. Results suggest that the SAD PERSONS Scale can help supervisees gain increased understanding of the suicide continuum and can augment developing supervisee clinical judgement. Concomitantly, the scale appears to have implied utility for aiding supervisors in gaining greater understanding of the client's clinical presentation and immediate degree of danger to self.