Construct Validation of the Trauma Symptom Checklist–40 Total and Subscale Scores

The Trauma Symptom Checklist–40 (TSC-40) is commonly used in clinical research to index history of childhood maltreatment and assess complex trauma symptomatology in adults. Yet the dimensional structure of this measure has not been examined. We examined the factor structure of the TSC-40 in a sample of 706 undergraduate students, measurement invariance of the TSC-40 across groups with or without a history of abuse-related and multiple trauma, and the association between the TSC-40 and other trauma indices. A higher order model of complex trauma symptomatology was optimal. The higher order model also demonstrated strong measurement invariance across participants with or without abuse-related and multiple trauma histories. The current findings support the dimensional structure of the TSC-40, as well as extending and revising its subscale composition. This study provided support for using the TSC-40 to measure trauma symptoms across groups exposed to different and multiple types of trauma and provided further evidence for the construct of complex trauma symptomatology.

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Measurement invariance of the distress tolerance scale among university students with and without a history of non-suicidal self-injury

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.10915 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e10915

Author(s):

Ashley Slabbert ◽

Penelope Hasking ◽

Danyelle Greene ◽

Mark Boyes

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Measurement Invariance ◽

Lower Order ◽

Distress Tolerance ◽

Factor Model ◽

Higher Order ◽

Order Model ◽

Self Injury ◽

History Of ◽

Order Four

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is the intentional damage to one’s body tissue in the absence of suicidal intent. NSSI primarily serves an emotion regulation function, with individuals engaging in self-injury to escape intense or unwanted emotion. Low distress tolerance has been identified as a mechanism that underlies self-injury, and is commonly assessed using the self-report Distress Tolerance Scale. There are mixed findings regarding the factor structure of the Distress Tolerance Scale, with some researchers utilising a higher-order distress tolerance score (derived from the scores on the four lower-order subscales) and other researchers using the four subscales as unique predictors of psychological outcomes. Neither of these factor structures have been assessed among individuals with a history of self-injury. Of note, an inability to tolerate distress (thought to underlie NSSI) may limit an individual’s capacity to accurately observe and report specific thoughts and emotions experienced in a state of heightened distress, which may impact the validity of scores on the Distress Tolerance Scale. Therefore, measurement invariance should be established before attributing NSSI-related differences on the scale to true differences in distress tolerance. We compared the Distress Tolerance Scale higher-order model with the lower-order four factor model among university students with and without a history of NSSI. Our results indicated that the lower-order four factor model was a significantly better fit to the data than the higher-order model. We then tested the measurement invariance of this lower-order factor model among individuals with and without a history of NSSI, and established configural and full metric invariance, followed by partial scalar and full residual error invariance. These results suggest the four subscales of the Distress Tolerance Scale can be used to confidently discern NSSI-related differences in distress tolerance.

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Examining the Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children in a Diverse Sample of Trauma-Exposed Adolescents

Assessment ◽

10.1177/1073191120939158 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 107319112093915

Author(s):

Nicholas M. Morelli ◽

Damian Elson ◽

Jacqueline B. Duong ◽

Meghan C. Evans ◽

Miguel T. Villodas

Keyword(s):

Measurement Invariance ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Interpersonal Violence ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Racial Groups ◽

Symptom Checklist ◽

Trauma Symptom ◽

Clinical Scales ◽

Sexual Distress ◽

Convergent And Discriminant Validity

The Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC) is a widely used youth assessment of broad, transdiagnostic symptomatology following trauma. However, its factor structure has not been thoroughly tested in diverse samples. Youth ( N = 738) exposed to interpersonal violence, including physical and sexual abuse, completed the TSCC. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test one-, six-, and eight-factor models of the TSCC clinical scales, based on previous literature and the TSCC manual. We examined measurement invariance across boys and girls and Black and non-Black participants, as well as convergent and discriminant validity. An eight-factor structure, consisting of posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, anger, overt dissociation, fantasy dissociation, sexual preoccupation, and sexual distress, demonstrated the best fit, with two items removed. Invariance tests supported configural and metric (but not scalar) invariance. This research highlights the need for further testing before differences between gender and racial groups can be accurately compared.

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Measurement Invariance Across Gender on the Second-Order Five-Factor Model of the German Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fifth Edition

Assessment ◽

10.1177/1073191119847762 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (8) ◽

pp. 1836-1852 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Franz Pauls ◽

Monika Daseking ◽

Franz Petermann

Keyword(s):

Measurement Invariance ◽

Factor Model ◽

Five Factor Model ◽

Higher Order ◽

Full Scale ◽

Order Model ◽

Intelligence Scale ◽

Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽

Visual Spatial ◽

Scalar Invariance

The present study investigated measurement invariance across gender on the German Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–Fifth Edition (WISC-V). The higher order model that was preferred by the test publishers was tested on a population-representative German sample of 1,411 children and adolescents aged between 6 and 16 years. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test for measurement invariance. As soon as partial scalar invariance could be established by freeing nonequivalent subtest intercepts, results demonstrated that 11 out of 15 subtest scores have the same meaning for male and female children. These findings support interpretable comparisons of the WISC-V test scores between males and females but only in due consideration of partial scalar invariance and with respect to the underlying factor structure. Despite this, however, results did not support the overall structural validity of the higher order model. Thus, replacing the former Perceptual Reasoning factor by Fluid Reasoning and Visual Spatial may be considered inappropriate due to the redundancy of the FRI as a separate factor. Results also indicated that the WISC-V provides stronger measurement of general intelligence ( Full Scale IQ) than measurements of cognitive subdomains (WISC-V indexes). Interpretative emphasis should thus be placed on the Full Scale IQ rather than the WISC-V indexes.

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Rorschach Assessment of Complex Trauma in Youth

Rorschachiana Journal of the International Society for the Rorschach ◽

10.1027/1192-5604/a000122 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 19-41

Author(s):

David Ephraim

Keyword(s):

Psychological Assessment ◽

Complex Trauma ◽

Personality Development ◽

Traumatic Events ◽

History Of ◽

The Way

Abstract. A history of complex trauma or exposure to multiple traumatic events of an interpersonal nature, such as abuse, neglect, and/or major attachment disruptions, is unfortunately common in youth referred for psychological assessment. The way these adolescents approach the Rorschach task and thematic contents they provide often reflect how such experiences have deeply affected their personality development. This article proposes a shift in perspective in the interpretation of protocols of adolescents who suffered complex trauma with reference to two aspects: (a) the diagnostic relevance of avoidant or emotionally constricted Rorschach protocols that may otherwise appear of little use, and (b) the importance of danger-related thematic contents reflecting the youth’s sense of threat, harm, and vulnerability. Regarding this last aspect, the article reintroduces the Preoccupation with Danger Index ( DI). Two cases are presented to illustrate the approach.

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Testing a Higher-Order Model of Psychological Resilience in Recruits

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e627412010-001 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Donald R. McCreary ◽

Jennifer E. C. Lee ◽

Kerry A. Sudom

Keyword(s):

Higher Order ◽

Psychological Resilience ◽

Order Model

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Using Psychedelics With Therapeutic Intent Is Associated With Lower Shame and Complex Trauma Symptoms in Adults With Histories of Child Maltreatment

Chronic Stress ◽

10.1177/24705470211029881 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 247054702110298

Author(s):

C. J. Healy ◽

Kellie Ann Lee ◽

Wendy D’Andrea

Keyword(s):

Social Cognition ◽

Child Maltreatment ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Complex Trauma ◽

Self Concept ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms ◽

Trauma Symptoms ◽

Internalized Shame ◽

Stress Symptoms ◽

History Of

Background Child maltreatment negatively affects the formation of internal schemata of self and other during development, leading to negative adaptations in self-concept and social cognition. Clinical reports suggest the efficacy of psychedelics in treating the psychopathological sequelae of child maltreatment. Altering maladaptive schemata of self and other implicated in negative self-concept and impaired social cognition may be a central mechanism for reducing posttraumatic stress symptoms. Aims This study aims to assess whether psychedelic use moderates the relationships between child maltreatment and self-concept, social cognition, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Method An online survey was completed by 166 participants and included measures of maltreatment exposure and severity, history of intentional therapeutic psychedelic use, posttraumatic stress symptoms, internalized shame, and facial emotion recognition. Results Child maltreatment significantly correlated with posttraumatic stress symptoms ( r = .26 and r = .20, p < .01) and internalized shame ( r = .18, p < .05). Of all maltreatment subtypes, emotional abuse and neglect most strongly correlated with complex trauma symptoms ( r = .32, p < .001) and internalized shame ( r = .31, p < .001). Participants with a history of intentional therapeutic psychedelic use reported significantly lower complex trauma symptoms ( d = 0.33, p < .05) and internalized shame ( d = 0.35, p < .05) despite similar histories of maltreatment. Differences in complex trauma symptoms ( d = 0.66, p < .01) and internalized shame ( d = 0.80, p < .001) were largest for participants with a history of more than 5 occasions of intentional therapeutic psychedelic use. A history of more than 5 occasions of intentional therapeutic psychedelic use significantly moderated the relationship between emotional abuse and neglect and complex trauma symptoms (p < .01). No associations were found between maltreatment or psychedelic use and facial emotion recognition. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that using psychedelic drugs with therapeutic intent is associated with lower levels of complex trauma symptoms and internalized shame in individuals with histories of child maltreatment. Psychedelic use may have therapeutic benefit in treating the posttraumatic sequelae of child maltreatment.

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Case report: Manual therapies promote resolution of persistent post-concussion symptoms in a 24-year-old athlete

SAGE Open Medical Case Reports ◽

10.1177/2050313x20952224 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 2050313X2095222

Author(s):

Susan Vaughan Kratz

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Symptom Severity ◽

Impact Test ◽

Manual Therapies ◽

Symptom Checklist ◽

Post Concussion Syndrome ◽

Persistent Symptoms ◽

Short Period ◽

History Of ◽

Headache Impact

This case report illustrates the treatment outcomes of a collegiate athlete presenting with an 18-month history of post-concussion syndrome who received a series of mixed manual therapies in isolation of other therapy. Persistent symptoms were self-reported as debilitating, contributing to self-removal from participation in school, work, and leisure activities. Patient and parent interviews captured the history of multiple concussions and other sports-related injuries. Neurological screening and activities of daily living were baseline measured. Post-Concussion Symptom Checklist and Headache Impact Test-6™ were utilized to track symptom severity. Treatments applied included craniosacral therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, and glymphatic techniques. Eleven treatment sessions were administered over 3 months. Results indicated restoration of oxygen saturation, normalized pupil reactivity, and satisfactory sleep. Post-concussion syndrome symptom severity was reduced by 87% as reflected by accumulative Post-Concussion Symptom Checklist scores. Relief from chronic headaches was achieved, reflected by Headache Impact Test-6 scores. Restoration of mood and quality of life were reported. A 6-month follow-up revealed symptoms remained abated with full re-engagement of daily activities. The author hypothesized that post-concussion syndrome symptoms were related to compression of craniosacral system structures and lymphatic fluid stagnation that contributed to head pressure pain, severe sleep deprivation, and multiple neurological and psychological symptoms. Positive outcomes over a relatively short period of time without adverse effects suggest these therapies may offer viable options for the treatment of post-concussion syndrome.

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Longitudinal change in restricted and repetitive behaviors from 8-36 months

Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽

10.1186/s11689-020-09335-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Robin Sifre ◽

Daniel Berry ◽

Jason J. Wolff ◽

Jed T. Elison

Keyword(s):

Measurement Invariance ◽

Factor Score ◽

Developmental Change ◽

Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Higher Order ◽

Repetitive Behaviors ◽

Restricted And Repetitive Behaviors ◽

Repetitive Motor ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) are core features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and one of the earliest behavioral signs of ASD. However, RRBs are also present in typically developing (TD) infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. Past work suggests that examining change in these behaviors over time is essential to distinguish between normative manifestations of these behaviors and behaviors that denote risk for a neurodevelopmental disorder. One challenge in examining changes in these behaviors over time is that most measures of RRBs have not established longitudinal measurement invariance. The aims of this study were to (1) establish measurement invariance in the Repetitive Behavior Scales for Early Childhood (RBS-EC), a parent-report questionnaire of RRBs, and (2) model developmental change in RRBs from 8 to 36 months. Methods We collected RBS-EC responses from parents of TD infants (n = 180) from 8 to 36 months (n = 606 responses, with participants contributing an average of 3-time points). We leverage a novel methodological approach to measurement invariance testing (Bauer, Psychological Models, 22(3), 507–526, 2017), moderated nonlinear factor analysis (MNLFA), to determine whether the RBS-EC was invariant across age and sex. We then generated adjusted factor score estimates for each subscale of the RBS-EC (repetitive motor, self-directed, and higher-order behaviors), and used linear mixed effects models to estimate between- and within-person changes in the RBS-EC over time. Results The RBS-EC showed some non-invariance as a function of age. We were able to adjust for this non-invariance in order to more accurately model changes in the RBS-EC over time. Repetitive motor and self-directed behaviors showed a linear decline from 8 to 36 months, while higher-order behaviors showed a quadratic trajectory such that they began to decline later in development at around 18 months. Using adjusted factor scores as opposed to unadjusted raw mean scores provided a number of benefits, including increased within-person variability and precision. Conclusions The RBS-EC is sensitive enough to measure the presence of RRBs in a TD sample, as well as their decline with age. Using factor score estimates of each subscale adjusted for non-invariance allowed us to more precisely estimate change in these behaviors over time.

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