Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse (CECA): A Retrospective Interview Measure

TLDR

Investigator-based retrospective measures such as CECA are preferred over respondent-based ones because they offer methodological advantages, including time-based recall and improved data quality. The study develops the CECA, a retrospective interview measure of childhood care and abuse, for use with adult community samples in London. The authors examine how CECA scales interrelate and how childhood experiences predict adult depression. CECA ratings demonstrate good inter‑rater reliability and validity, as confirmed by concordance between sisters’ independent reports.

Abstract

Abstract The development of a retrospective, investigator‐based interview measure of Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse (CECA) used with two community samples of adults in London is described. The component ratings are shown to have satisfactory inter‐rater reliability and also validity as determined by agreement between sisters' independent accounts. The association between the different childhood scales is explored as well as the relationship of childhood experiences to adult depression. Methodological issues concerning investigator‐based versus respondent‐based measures of childhood are discussed and a case made for use of the former. Advantages of using the CECA, a retrospective, time‐based measure of childhood, are outlined.