The childhood trauma questionnaire in a community sample: Psychometric properties and normative data

TLDR

Research on childhood trauma prevalence and outcomes is limited by assessment tools with uncertain psychometric properties, and while the CTQ shows strong reliability in clinical samples, its performance in community settings is unclear. The study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The authors examined the CTQ’s factor structure and reliability in a community sample and produced normative data. The CTQ was best represented by a 5‑factor model (with a hierarchical model also fitting well), showed acceptable internal consistency, and overall appears suitable for use in community samples.

Abstract

Interpretation of research on the prevalence and sequelae of childhood trauma has been hindered by the use of assessment instruments with unknown psychometric properties. Thus, we examined the psychometric properties of a new childhood trauma measure, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). The CTQ has demonstrated strong psychometric properties in clinical samples; limited information exists on its psychometric properties in community samples. Therefore, we explored the factor structure and reliability of the CTQ in a community sample and calculated normative data. Consistent with previous literature, a 5-factor model best described the CTQ, with a hierarchical model also providing excellent fit. Additionally, the CTQ demonstrated acceptable internal consistency. Overall, our findings suggest that the CTQ is appropriate for use in a community sample.