Urdu Translation and Validation of the Questionnaire for Suicidal Ideation (QSI)

Abstract

Suicidal ideation is a critical public health concern and a key proximal risk factor for suicide attempts and deaths. The accurate assessment of suicidal ideation is essential for early intervention, clinical monitoring, and research. The Questionnaire for Suicidal Ideation (QSI) is a brief, self-report tool designed to measure suicidal thoughts without confounding factors such as preparatory behaviors or intent. The present study aimed to translate the QSI into Urdu and evaluate its psychometric properties in an Urdu-speaking adult population. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase I involved forward-backward translation, expert review, and cross-language validation using a bilingual sample (N = 60), demonstrating high cross-language equivalence (r = .880, p < .01) and test-retest reliability (r = .910, p < .01). Phase II involved empirical validation in a larger sample (N = 360), assessing internal consistency (α = .838), exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). EFA supported a unidimensional factor structure, explaining 58% of the variance, while CFA confirmed excellent model fit (χ²/df = 1.078, CFI = .999, GFI = .986, RMSEA = .015), with all items loading significantly onto a single latent factor. The findings indicate that the Urdu version of the QSI (QSI-Urdu) is a reliable, valid, and culturally appropriate tool for assessing suicidal ideation in adult Urdu speakers. This adaptation provides a brief, psychometrically sound instrument for clinical screening, research, and longitudinal monitoring of suicidal thoughts in South Asian populations.