Childhood Trauma Test (CTQ-SF)

The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) is a widely used psychological assessment tool designed to measure the severity and prevalence of adverse experiences during childhood. Developed as a streamlined version of the original CTQ, this instrument provides a practical and validated means of screening for a range of traumatic experiences, including abuse and neglect. Its brevity and reliability make it an invaluable resource in both clinical and research settings, where time constraints and accuracy are essential.

Structure and Scales

The CTQ-SF comprises 28 items, including 25 core items that measure trauma and 3 validity items to assess response bias. These items are grouped into five primary subscales:

Emotional Abuse: Experiences of verbal assaults, criticism, or demeaning behavior that undermine a child’s sense of self-worth.

Physical Abuse: Bodily harm or injury inflicted through violent acts such as hitting, slapping, or other forms of physical aggression.

Sexual Abuse: Involves inappropriate sexual contact or conduct directed toward a child.

Emotional Neglect: The failure of caregivers to meet a child’s emotional needs for love, support, and nurturance.

Physical Neglect: The lack of provision for basic physical needs such as food, shelter, and medical care.

Each item is rated on a five-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (Never True) to 5 (Very Often True). This structure allows for both categorical classification and the quantification of severity across the subscales.

Development and Validation

The CTQ-SF was developed by Bernstein et al. (2003) to address the need for a brief yet reliable tool for identifying childhood trauma. Rigorous validation studies have demonstrated its internal consistency, convergent validity, and reliability across diverse populations. The inclusion of validity items enhances the tool's utility by identifying respondents who may be underreporting or overreporting trauma experiences.

Validation studies have shown that the CTQ-SF correlates strongly with psychological symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), underscoring its relevance in assessing trauma’s psychological impact. It has been widely used in studies exploring the long-term consequences of childhood trauma on mental health, physical health, and interpersonal functioning.

Applications

The CTQ-SF is used in various contexts, including:

Clinical Settings: To screen for trauma history among clients presenting with psychological symptoms. The results guide therapeutic approaches, such as trauma-focused therapy or cognitive-behavioral interventions.

Research: The CTQ-SF is frequently employed in studies investigating the relationship between childhood trauma and adult psychopathology. It is particularly valuable in exploring links to depression, substance abuse, and PTSD.

Public Health: The tool aids in understanding the prevalence of childhood trauma in specific populations, informing policies and interventions aimed at prevention and early support.

The CTQ-SF’s brevity, ease of administration, and strong psychometric properties make it an ideal choice for high-volume settings. However, its reliance on self-report can lead to biases, such as underreporting due to shame or overreporting influenced by emotional distress. Complementing the CTQ-SF with interviews or other assessments can address these limitations.

The CTQ-SF provides a concise yet comprehensive measure of childhood trauma, offering critical insights into the formative experiences that shape an individual's mental and emotional well-being. Its role in identifying trauma and guiding interventions highlights its value in improving mental health outcomes and fostering resilience in those affected by early adversity.

This test cannot be used to provide clinical assessments or an accurate evaluation of your personality. Clinical assessments should always be done in cooperation with a mental health professional. For more information about any of our online tests and quizzes, please consult our Terms of Service.