Table 3 Item level factor loadings for the exploratory factor analysis in the autistic and non-autistic groups (exploratory sample)

1. Have you ever thought about or attempted to end your life?

.817

.833

.854

2. How often on average have you experienced intense thoughts about ending your life in the past 12 months?

.692

.591

.715

3. When you have intense thoughts about ending your life, how long per day does this typically last?

.746

.869

.827

4. When you experience intense thoughts about ending your life, how likely are you to act on them?

.84

.878

.883

5. Have you ever told anyone that you: were thinking about ending your life/were going to attempt to end your life/had attempted to end your life?

.696

.764

.752

Cronbach’s Alpha

.818

.848

.85