We studied the reliability and validity of the Columbia Suicide Severity Scale (C-SSRS).
Severely delinquent adolescent girls (n = 166) participated in a treatment trial and repeated
assessments over time. Lifetime suicide attempt history was measured using the C-SSRS in early
adulthood (n = 144; 7–12 years post-baseline). Nonclinician raters showed strong interrater
reliability using the C-SSRS. Self-, caseworker-, and caregiver-reports of girls’ suicide attempt
histories collected at baseline correlated with adult participants’ recollections of their baseline
attempt histories. Suicidal ideation measured prospectively across a 7–12 year period was
associated with retrospectively reported suicide attempt across the same period
