Construction and Validation of the Iranian Adolescents’ Self-Harming Thoughts Questionnaire

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. in Psychology, Education department, Ardakan, Yazd, Iran

2 Master in clinical psychology, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

This study proposed to develop and validate a questionnaire on self-harm thoughts among Iranian adolescents. The present research is a quantitative and descriptive study conducted among the population of second-cycle secondary school students in Ardakan city in 2025. Sampling was conducted using convenience sampling. The research instruments included the Self-Harm Thoughts Questionnaire, the Self-Harm Behaviors Questionnaire (Shomali & Barghdari, 2024), and the Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1965). Data were analyzed using SPSS 26 and AMOS 24 statistical software. The results of exploratory factor analysis showed that the Self-Harm Thoughts Questionnaire is unidimensional and consists of 8 items. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was calculated by determining the correlation coefficient of each item with the total questionnaire, ranging from 0.372 to 0.737. A significant positive relationship was found between self-harm behaviors and self-harm thoughts, as well as A significant negetive relationship was found between between self-esteem and self-harm thoughts, confirming convergent and divergent validity The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated factor loadings above 0.4, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) of 0.079, goodness-of-fit index (GFI) of 0.945, comparative fit index (CFI) of 0.958, and χ²/df value of 2.406, which support the construct validity of the questionnaire. The Cronbach's alpha value was also 0.821, indicating adequate reliability of the questionnaire. Based on the results of this study, the Self-Harm Thoughts Questionnaire for Iranian adolescents is a suitable tool for assessing self-harm thoughts.

Keywords


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  • Receive Date: 17 November 2025
  • Revise Date: 10 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 08 February 2026
  • First Publish Date: 20 February 2026
  • Publish Date: 20 February 2026