Background This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Korean version of the Suicide Rumination Scale [K-SRS], which assesses fixations on suicidal thoughts, intentions, and plans.
Methods Between July 2024 and March 2025, 124 adults (aged 18 years and older) with suicidal ideation completed an online self-report survey and a behavioral task.
Results Factor analysis supported a two-factor structure—Intrusive Rumination about Suicide and Contemplation of Suicide Methods—demonstrating excellent internal consistency (α=.96 and .93, respectively). Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations with brooding, reflective pondering, depressive rumination, and intrusive rumination (rs=.19 to .57). Discriminant validity was indicated by non-significant correlations with deliberate rumination (rs=−.01 to .01). The K-SRS demonstrated concurrent validity via associations with suicidal risk, suicidal ideation intensity, depression, and anxiety (rs=.34 to .65), and incremental validity by predicting suicide risk beyond established factors. Higher K-SRS scores among individuals with clinical levels of depression and anxiety confirmed known-group validity. The K-SRS showed acceptable discriminatory ability for past suicide attempts (AUC=.77), with a cut-off score of 13.5 (sensitivity=0.68, specificity=0.75).
Conclusions The K-SRS is a reliable and valid measure of suicide-specific rumination and risk assessment.