Ten-year review of rating scales. IV: scales assessing trauma and its effects.
OBJECTIVE
This article summarizes scales assessing trauma and its effects on youths.


METHODS
We sampled trauma-related articles published over the past 25 years, with an emphasis on the past decade, selected scales with at least several publications, and reviewed their properties. Those with minimally adequate psychometric properties and continued literature citations or a special niche are presented.


RESULTS
Most of trauma-related scales are relatively new, reflecting the evolving interest in juvenile trauma. Therefore, they do not have the depth of psychometric examination nor the breadth of applications described for previously reviewed scales. However, they have been applied to various traumatic situations. These scales assess a range of trauma-related symptoms and behaviors, including posttraumatic stress disorder, symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder, and dissociation. Additionally, several scales assess the trauma itself.


CONCLUSIONS
Trauma-related scales show promise for research and clinical use in understanding youths' responses to trauma. However, their utility for treatment planning and for accountability in practice is generally not as clear. The potential user must clearly define the goals of measurement and use these scales within their limited roles. With these caveats, trauma-related scales may assist our work with traumatized youths.
Ohan
Jeneva L
JL
University of Victoria, Canada.
Myers
Kathleen
K
Collett
Brent R
BR
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology