Chapter 5 ADSHQ

The attitude of nurses and treatment staff is crucial in the treatment of patients who self-harm. However, many patients experience that attitude as negative. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Dutch version of the Attitude Towards Deliberate Self-Harm Questionnaire. A total of 261 questionnaires were used to measure validity and reliability. Sensitivity to change was measured using a post-test measurement (N=171) and a subgroup of 78 participants were given the questionnaire twice for test-retest measurement. Factor analysis revealed four factors explaining 33% of the variance. Cronbach's alpha values ranged between .585 and .809, with .637 for the total scale. Intraclass Correlation Coefficient was assessed in order to estimate test-retest reliability, revealing the questionnaire was stable over time; the exception was factor 3, which had a value of .63. Finally, the questionnaire was sensitive to change, showing significant increases between pre-test and post-test measurements in the total score and in three of the four factors. We conclude that the Dutch version of the Attitude Towards Deliberate Self-Harm Questionnaire possesses adequate psychometric properties and is an acceptable instrument for measuring the attitude of nurses and healthcare staff towards patients who self-harm in Dutch-speaking countries.