Frontiers in Psychology (Jul 2024)

Validation of the Spanish Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form in adolescents with suicide attempts

  • Ainoa García-Fernández,
  • Ainoa García-Fernández,
  • Ainoa García-Fernández,
  • Clara Martínez-Cao,
  • Clara Martínez-Cao,
  • Clara Martínez-Cao,
  • Alberto Sánchez-Fernández-Quejo,
  • Teresa Bobes-Bascarán,
  • Teresa Bobes-Bascarán,
  • Teresa Bobes-Bascarán,
  • Teresa Bobes-Bascarán,
  • Jorge Andreo-Jover,
  • Jorge Andreo-Jover,
  • Wala Ayad-Ahmed,
  • Ana Isabel Cebriá,
  • Ana Isabel Cebriá,
  • Ana Isabel Cebriá,
  • Marina Díaz-Marsá,
  • Marina Díaz-Marsá,
  • Marina Díaz-Marsá,
  • Nathalia Garrido-Torres,
  • Nathalia Garrido-Torres,
  • Nathalia Garrido-Torres,
  • Nathalia Garrido-Torres,
  • Sandra Gómez,
  • Sandra Gómez,
  • Sandra Gómez,
  • Sandra Gómez,
  • Ana González-Pinto,
  • Ana González-Pinto,
  • Ana González-Pinto,
  • Ana González-Pinto,
  • Iria Grande,
  • Iria Grande,
  • Iria Grande,
  • Iria Grande,
  • Noelia Iglesias,
  • Katya B. March,
  • Katya B. March,
  • Diego J. Palao,
  • Diego J. Palao,
  • Diego J. Palao,
  • Iván Pérez-Díez,
  • Iván Pérez-Díez,
  • Natalia Roberto,
  • Natalia Roberto,
  • Natalia Roberto,
  • Natalia Roberto,
  • Miguel Ruiz-Veguilla,
  • Miguel Ruiz-Veguilla,
  • Miguel Ruiz-Veguilla,
  • Miguel Ruiz-Veguilla,
  • Alejandro de la Torre-Luque,
  • Alejandro de la Torre-Luque,
  • Iñaki Zorrilla,
  • Iñaki Zorrilla,
  • Iñaki Zorrilla,
  • Iñaki Zorrilla,
  • Víctor Pérez,
  • Víctor Pérez,
  • Víctor Pérez,
  • SURVIVE Group,
  • Pilar A. Sáiz,
  • Pilar A. Sáiz,
  • Pilar A. Sáiz,
  • Pilar A. Sáiz,
  • Pilar A. Sáiz,
  • María Paz García-Portilla,
  • María Paz García-Portilla,
  • María Paz García-Portilla,
  • María Paz García-Portilla,
  • María Paz García-Portilla

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1378486
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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BackgroundChild maltreatment is associated with a higher probability of mental disorders and suicidal behavior in adolescence. Therefore, accurate psychometric instruments are essential to assess this.ObjectiveTo validate the Spanish version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) in adolescents with suicide attempts.MethodsMultisite cohort study of 208 adolescents with suicide attempts using data from the following scales: Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and CTQ-SF. Statistical analysis: CTQ-SF scores analyzed by descriptive statistics. Internal consistency: McDonald’s omega and Cronbach’s alpha. Concurrent validity with PHQ-9 and C-SSRS scores: Spearman correlation coefficient. Structural validity: Confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsFloor and ceiling effects: Physical abuse and neglect as well as sexual abuse demonstrated high floor effects (50.0, 35.1, and 61.1% of adolescents, respectively). No ceiling effects were found. The CTQ-SF had excellent internal consistency (McDonald’s omega = 0.94), as did the majority of its subscales (Cronbach’s alpha 0.925–0.831) except for physical neglect (0.624). Its concurrent validity was modest, and the emotional neglect subscale had the lowest Spearman correlation coefficients (0.067–0.244). Confirmatory factor analysis: Compared with alternative factor structures, the original CTQ-SF model (correlated 5-factor) exhibited a better fit [S-B χ2 = 676.653, p < 0; RMSEA (90% CI = 0.076–0.097) = 0.087; SRMR = 0.078; CFI = 0.980; TLI = 0.978].ConclusionThe Spanish CTQ-SF is a reliable, valid instrument for assessing traumatic experiences in adolescents at high risk of suicide. It appears appropriate for use in routine clinical practice to monitor maltreatment in this group.

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