The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) (Cloitre et al., 2013 (link)) is a self-report measure of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD symptoms. This validation study evaluated the psychometric properties of 18 core items of the ITQ. A total of six PTSD core symptoms and three symptoms of functional impairment were used to assess PTSD symptomatology in the ITQ. Respondents are instructed to indicate how much they have been bothered by each of the core symptom in the past month , considering their most traumatic event, using a five-point Likert scale ranging from ‘Not at all’ (0) to ‘Extremely’ (4). Two symptoms reflect the ‘Re-experiencing’ (Re) cluster (i.e. Re1 upsetting dreams and Re2 feeling the experience is happening again in the here and now). Two core symptoms reflect the ‘Avoidance’ (Av) cluster (i.e. Av1 internal reminders and Av2 external reminders). Two core symptoms reflect the ‘Sense of Threat’ (Th) cluster (i.e. Th1 hypervigilance and Th2 exaggerated startle response). The internal reliability (Cronbach’s alpha) of the six PTSD items used for diagnostic purposes was satisfactory (α = .89), as were the reliabilities for the Re (α = .80), Av (α = .87), and Th (α = .86) clusters. Three additional items screened for functional impairment associated with these symptoms (Func1-Func3): (1) relationships and social life, (2) work or ability to work, and (3) other important aspects of life, such as parenting, school/college work, or other important activities.
To assess CPTSD symptomatology, participants are asked to respond to a set of six questions reflecting how theytypically feel, think about themselves, and relate to others, also using a five-point Likert scale ranging from ‘Not at all’ (0) to ‘Extremely’ (4). These symptom domains collectively represent disturbances in self-organisation (DSO) that is central to CPTSD diagnosis. Two items capture the ‘Affective Dysregulation’ (AD) cluster; one measures hyper-activation (AD1) (i.e. When I am upset, it takes me a long time to calm down) and another measures hypo-activation (AD2) (i.e. I feel numb or emotionally shut down). Two items capture the ‘Negative Self-concept’ (NSC) cluster (i.e. NSC1 I feel like a failure and NSC2 I feel worthless), and two items capture the ‘Disturbed Relationships’ (DR) cluster (i.e. DR1 I feel distant or cut off from people and DR2 I find it hard to stay emotionally close to people). The internal reliability of the six DSO items was satisfactory (α = .90), as were the reliability estimates for the AD (α = .67), NSC (α = .94), and DR (α = .87) clusters. As with the PTSD symptoms, there are three items that screen for functional impairment associated with CPTSD symptoms (Func4-Func6).
Diagnostic criteria for PTSD requires a score of ≥2 (‘Moderately’) for at least one of two symptoms from each of the Re, Av, and Th clusters. The diagnostic criteria for CPTSD includes satisfying PTSD criteria in addition to scoring ≥2 (‘Moderately’) for at least one symptom from each of the AD, NSC, and DR clusters. Diagnosis of PTSD and CPTSD also requires the endorsement of functional impairment. Based on the ICD-11 taxonomic structure, a person may only receive a diagnosis of PTSD or CPTSD, but not both.
To assess CPTSD symptomatology, participants are asked to respond to a set of six questions reflecting how they
Diagnostic criteria for PTSD requires a score of ≥2 (‘Moderately’) for at least one of two symptoms from each of the Re, Av, and Th clusters. The diagnostic criteria for CPTSD includes satisfying PTSD criteria in addition to scoring ≥2 (‘Moderately’) for at least one symptom from each of the AD, NSC, and DR clusters. Diagnosis of PTSD and CPTSD also requires the endorsement of functional impairment. Based on the ICD-11 taxonomic structure, a person may only receive a diagnosis of PTSD or CPTSD, but not both.
