Brief Description
The Reasons for Living Scale (RFL) is a psychological assessment tool designed by Dr. Marsha Linehan, creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, to evaluate protective factors that may prevent individuals from engaging in suicidal behavior. It measures the importance of various reasons that a person might have for choosing to stay alive, even when experiencing suicidal thoughts. These reasons can include personal beliefs, fear of social disapproval, and responsibilities to family and friends. An example question from the scale is, "I believe I have a responsibility and commitment to my family," with possible responses ranging from “Not at all important” to “Extremely important.” The RFL is best used with individuals who are at risk of suicide, as it helps to identify the factors that might support them in avoiding self-harm.
Assessment Administration Type
Self-report
Number of questions
72
Age Range for Administration
18+
Recommended Frequency of Administration
No recommended standard frequency; Blueprint recommends every 3 months or as clinically indicated.
Summary of Scoring and Interpretations
Items on the RFLS are scored on a 6-point Likert Scale ranging from 1 (not at all important) to 6 (extremely important). Scoring the RFLS involves summing the scores for each item. Total scores range from 72-432, with higher total scores indicating stronger reasons for living and, thus a lower risk of suicide. The scale also consists of multiple subscales:
Subscale | Corresponding Items |
Survival and Coping Beliefs | 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 29, 32, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 44, 45 |
Family Responsibility Concerns | 1, 7, 9, 16, 30, 47, 48 |
Child-Related Concerns | 11, 21, 28 |
Fear of Suicide | 6, 15, 18, 26, 33, 38, 46 |
Fear of Social Disapproval | 31, 41, 43 |
Moral Objections | 5, 23, 27, 34 |
Each of these subscales is scored by finding a mean score. They can be analyzed separately to identify specific protective factors. There are no cutoff scores for this measure.
Blueprint Adjustments
N/A
Clinical Considerations
Estimated time for completion: 15-20 minutes
This tool and its subscales have been found to be less valid when used across different cultural or ethnic groups, age-specific cohorts (adolescents and older adults), or groups defined by other diversity characteristics, such as sexual orientation or gender non-conforming identities.
Citation
Relevant Articles + Further Resources
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