title: Reliability of reports of childhood trauma in bipolar disorder: A test-retest study over 18 months.
abstract: This study aimed to explore the reliability of self-reported trauma histories in a population with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Previous studies in other populations suggest high reliability of trauma histories over time, and it was postulated that a similar high reliability would be demonstrated in this population. A total of 39 patients with a confirmed diagnosis (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, criteria) were followed up and readministered the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire after 18 months. Cohen's kappa scores and intraclass correlations suggested reasonable test-retest reliability over the 18-month time period of the study for all types of childhood abuse, namely, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse and physical and emotional neglect. Intraclass correlations ranged from r = .50 (sexual abuse) to r = .96 (physical abuse). Cohen's kappas ranged from .44 (sexual abuse) to .76 (physical abuse). Retrospective reports of childhood trauma can be seen as reliable and are in keeping with results found with other mental health populations.
authors.affiliation: a School of Psychology , Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Ciaran
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shannon
authors.affiliation: a School of Psychology , Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Donncha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychiatry , Western Health and Social Care Trust , Derry , Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Leo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tumelty
authors.affiliation: a School of Psychology , Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Waldron
authors.affiliation: a School of Psychology , Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Chrissie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maguire
authors.affiliation: a School of Psychology , Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mowlds
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychiatry , Northern Health and Social Care Trust , Newtownabbey , Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Ciaran
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meenagh
authors.affiliation: d School of Medicine , Queen's University Belfast , Belfast , Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Ciaran
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mulholland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
keywords: Affective disorders; childhood trauma; reliability