Symptom structure of ICD-11 Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) in trauma-exposed foster children: examining the International Trauma Questionnaire - Child and Adolescent Version (ITQ-CA)

Background: The 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) introduces Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) as two distinct trauma-related disorders. Numerous studies support the proposed symptom structure of ICD-11 CPTSD in adults, but only a few studies have examined CPTSD symptom structure in children, reporting diverging results. To assess ICD-11 CPTSD in children, the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) was recently adapted for children and adolescents (ITQ-CA), with no validated German version available yet. Objective: This study aimed (1) to test the symptom structure of ICD-11 CPTSD in a sample of trauma-exposed foster children using the ITQ-CA, and (2) to examine the concurrent, convergent and discriminant validity of the German ITQ-CA. Method: Altogether, 161 Austrian foster children completed a set of standardized measures, resulting in a final sample of 135 trauma-exposed foster children meeting the inclusion criteria. Psychometric properties of the ITQ-CA were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), bivariate correlations and multivariate regression. Results: CFA supported ICD-11 CPTSD symptom structure in children as a two-factor higher-order model with PTSD and Disturbances in Self-Organization (DSO) as correlated factors with very good model fit, while a one-factor higher-order model also fitted the data very well. High factor loadings and excellent levels of internal reliability evidenced the psychometric adequacy of the ITQ-CA. Concurrent and convergent validity were evidenced by high correlations between ITQ-CA scales and criterion variables (PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, dissociation, lifetime traumatization). Discriminant validity was partly supported by PTSD and DSO being differently predicted by exogenous criterion variables. Conclusions: CPTSD symptom structure in children is in support of the ICD-11 conceptualization. The reliability and validity of the German ITQ-CA are evidenced for the first time, identifying it as an easy-to-use screening instrument to assess ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD in children. Further implications and areas for upcoming studies are discussed.

Perspective matters: Differences between child- and caregiver-reports of emotion regulation mediating the relationship between cumulative childhood trauma and mental health problems in foster children

BACKGROUND

Cumulative childhood trauma predicts mental health problems in children, mediated by emotion regulation (ER). To assess trauma history and mental health in children, different informants may be addressed, assessing data from different perspectives. Despite differences between child- and caregiver-reports as robust finding in child psychology, it remains unclear to which extent perspective matters when examining these variables and related associations.

OBJECTIVE

The current study was set to (1) examine whether ER mediates the relationship between cumulative childhood trauma and mental health problems in children, (2) test whether results differ with examined perspective, and (3) investigate if meaningful patterns of child-caregiver-reported discrepancies can be identified.

METHODS

Data were collected from 145 children living in foster care by child- and caregiver-reports using standardized measures to assess trauma history (CTQ), ER (FEEL-KJ), and mental health problems (CBCL). Mediation and latent profile analysis were calculated.

RESULTS

Mediation analysis identified ER as mediator for internalizing and externalizing mental health problems. Using data from different perspectives, mediation models differed considerably regarding significance, direction, and magnitude of effects. Using latent profile analysis, meaningful patterns of child-caregiver-reported discrepancies were identified and associated with children's sociodemographic and psychopathological characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS

Adaptive and maladaptive ER distinctively mediate the relationship between cumulative childhood trauma and mental health problems in children. Perspective matters when examining these variables and child- and caregiver-reports are not interchangeable. Practitioners and researchers should be aware of inherent limitations when using data from distinct perspectives. Informant discrepancies can carry meaning and should not be ignored, but examined and interpreted instead.

Validation of ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD in foster children using the International Trauma Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE

ICD-11 introduces post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD) as two distinct trauma-related disorders. Using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) as disorder-specific measure, this study is the first to examine the factorial and construct validity of ICD-11 PTSD, CPTSD and the ITQs' applicability in children.

METHODS

Two hundred and eight Austrian foster children completed a set of standardized measures. Excluding participants who reported not having experienced any kind of trauma, a final sample of 136 children completed the ITQ. Factorial and construct validity of ICD-11 CPTSD and psychometric properties of ITQ scales were assessed by factor analysis and latent class analysis.

RESULTS

Confirmatory factor analysis supported the two-factor higher-order model of ICD-11 CPTSD in children by high factor loadings and excellent model fit. Reliability and regression analysis evidenced psychometric adequacy and discriminant validity of ITQ scales. Latent class analysis substantiated construct validity of ICD-11 CPTSD, identifying a CPTSD (22.8%), PTSD (31.6%) and low symptoms class (45.6%). The CPTSD class showed highest rates of childhood trauma, comorbid psychopathology and functional impairment.

CONCLUSION

Factorial and construct validity of ICD-11 CPTSD was evidenced in children for the first time using precise descriptions of ICD-11 symptom content, supporting the reliability and validity of the ITQ in children.