Dari version of Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) in a sample of Afghan students

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in countries experiencing widespread social and psychological crises. In recent years, Afghanistan has faced numerous challenges that have severely affected individuals' mental health. However, there has been no reliable and validated self-report tool with sufficient sensitivity and specificity to identify Afghans at risk of suicidal behavior. This study aimed to translate and validate the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) in a sample of Afghan university students using a descriptive and validation-based design. The study included 230 undergraduate students from Herat University during the 2024-2025 academic year, selected through convenience sampling, who completed an online Qualtrics survey. To assess test-retest reliability, 40 participants completed the SBQ-R again after two weeks. The SBQ-R and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were administered. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit for the one-factor model (chi(2)/df=1.23, CFI=0.99, RMSEA=0.03). Criterion validity showed significant positive correlations between the SBQ-R and depression, anxiety, and stress (P<0.05). Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were both satisfactory. Overall, the Dari version of the SBQ-R demonstrated strong psychometric properties and is recommended as a reliable instrument for research and clinical assessment among Afghan populations.