Use of the Brief Suicide Cognitions Scale as a Screening Tool to Identify Latent Risk in a Gambling Clinic Sample

M David Rudd^1*James P Whelan¹Oliver Kratholm¹Meredith K Ginley²Andrea Perez Munoz¹Vivian L Gleason¹Burak Tuna¹Jacob Tempchin¹

• ¹University of Memphis, Memphis, United States
• ²East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, United States

The current study explored the clinical utility of the Brief Suicide Cognitions Scale (B-SCS) in a sample of individuals seeking treatment for gambling problems but not experiencing an acute suicidal crisis (N=80). The sample specific B-SCS cut score was determined using a normative sample comparison and its subsequent ability to identify latent suicide risk across a range of established risk factors was explored. Findings suggests that those scoring above the B-SCS cutting score possess elevated latent suicide risk that can be both strategically identified and targeted despite the absence of an acute suicidal crisis. These findings underscore the notion that individuals seeking treatment for gambling disorder exhibit elevated baseline vulnerabilities consistent with those observed in acutely suicidal populations, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive suicide risk assessment and early intervention with this population. Clinical implications of the findings and study limitations are discussed.