Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire: psychometric evaluation

Graham Gee; Tess Bright; Amy Morgan; Carlie Atkinson; Shawana Andrews; Yvonne Clark; Karen Glover; Tanja Hirvonen; Elise Davis; Kimberley A. Jones; Rachel Reilly; Fiona Mensah; Madelyne Hudson-Buhagiar; Shannon K Bennetts; Helen Herrman; Helen Milroy; Andrew Mackinnon; Catherine Chamberlain

doi:10.1080/00049530.2024.2335917

Australian Journal of Psychology (Dec 2024)

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire: psychometric evaluation

Graham Gee,
Tess Bright,
Amy Morgan,
Carlie Atkinson,
Shawana Andrews,
Yvonne Clark,
Karen Glover,
Tanja Hirvonen,
Elise Davis,
Kimberley A. Jones,
Rachel Reilly,
Fiona Mensah,
Madelyne Hudson-Buhagiar,
Shannon K Bennetts,
Helen Herrman,
Helen Milroy,
Andrew Mackinnon,
Catherine Chamberlain

Affiliations

Graham Gee: Intergenerational Health Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Tess Bright: Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Onemda: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Amy Morgan: Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Carlie Atkinson: Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Onemda: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Shawana Andrews: Melbourne Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Yvonne Clark: South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Karen Glover: Intergenerational Health Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Tanja Hirvonen: Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention, School of Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Elise Davis: Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Onemda: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Kimberley A. Jones: Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Onemda: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Rachel Reilly: South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Fiona Mensah: Intergenerational Health Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Madelyne Hudson-Buhagiar: Wurru Wurru Health Unit, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Shannon K Bennetts: Intergenerational Health Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Helen Herrman: Orygen, and Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Helen Milroy: Perth Children’s Hospital and University of Western Australia, Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Perth, WA, Australia
Andrew Mackinnon: Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
Catherine Chamberlain: Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Onemda: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00049530.2024.2335917
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 76, no. 1

Abstract

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ABSTRACTObjective Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (complex trauma) describes a cluster of symptoms frequently associated with prolonged exposure to inescapable threats or abuse. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia impacted by complex trauma, there may be compounding factors, such as experiences of historical trauma, loss and socio-economic deprivation stemming from colonisation. However, there is no culturally appropriate tool to assess complex trauma. This paper presents the psychometric evaluation of a preliminary version Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire (ACTSQ).Methods Following 2 years of rigorous Aboriginal-led co-design, participants were recruited through community networks and partner health services in South Australia, Victoria, and Northern Territory (October 2020–May 2022). A trained interviewer contacted Aboriginal (n = 109) and Torres Strait Islander (n = 1) parents aged >16 years by phone to complete the ACTSQ. Underlying domain structures were investigated with exploratory factor analysis and reviewed by experts to refine. Reliability and inter-rater reliability were assessed using McDonald’s Omega and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).Results Forty-four items on five factors were retained. Factors were labelled complex trauma symptoms (16 items), grief, loss and disconnection (6 items), support and relationships (9 items), sense of self and strengths (7 items), and Cultural connections and resources (6 items). There were moderate correlations between factors, with the exception of factor 5. Omega was >0.75 for all factors. The inter-rater reliability for each factor was fair to good (ICC 0.5–0.7).Conclusions This study conducted a comprehensive psychometric validation that provides initial evidence towards the cultural validity of the ACTSQ to support assessment of complex trauma and strengths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Future studies are required to replicate and further evaluate the psychometric properties of the ACTSQ using larger samples.

Published in Australian Journal of Psychology

ISSN: 0004-9530 (Print); 1742-9536 (Online)
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Philosophy. Psychology. Religion: Psychology
Website: https://www.tandfonline.com/raup

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