Description

The Trauma-Related Guilt Inventory (TRGI) was developed to measure guilt associated with traumatic experiences. It includes questions that examine various aspects of guilt, such as:
Sense of Responsibility: Guilt related to the feeling that the individual is responsible for the trauma or that they could have prevented the event.
Self-Criticism: Behaviors and thoughts concerning a self-critical stance due to the trauma.
Guilt for Inaction: Feelings of guilt about inaction or the inability to respond appropriately during or after the trauma.
Participants usually rate the statements on a scale of agreement (e.g., from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”).

Objective

The objective of the Trauma-Related Guilt Inventory (TRGI) is to:
Assess Trauma-Related Guilt: Measure and understand the different dimensions of guilt that arise after traumatic experiences.
Understand the Impact of Guilt on Mental Health: Examine how guilt affects an individual’s mental well-being and emotional states.
Enhance Therapeutic Interventions: Provide data that can be used to develop interventions and therapies for individuals suffering from trauma-related guilt.

Analysis

The analysis of the TRGI includes:
Data Categorization: Analyzing responses to identify the key dimensions of guilt and their intensity.
Result Synthesis: Examining how guilt is related to other psychological variables, such as depression and anxiety.
Reliability and Validity: Assessing the reliability of the scale through internal consistency (e.g., Cronbach’s α coefficient) and its validity through statistical methods, such as factor analysis.

Calibration

The calibration of the TRGI includes:
Data Collection: Using the scale in different populations to collect data regarding levels of trauma-related guilt.
Statistical Analysis: Applying statistical tools to analyze the data and evaluate the internal consistency and validity of the scale.

References

Kubany, E. S., Hill, E. M., & Owens, J. A. (2003). Development and Validation of a Measure of Trauma-Related Guilt: The Trauma-Related Guilt Inventory. Psychological Assessment, 15(1), 11–27.
Kubany, E. S., & Watson, S. B. (2003). Trauma-Related Guilt: Its Role in the Development and Maintenance of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16(4), 329–338.
Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. J. (1986). Emotional Processing of Fear: Exposure to Corrective Information. Psychological Bulletin, 99(1), 20–35.
Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. Basic Books.
Briere, J. (1992). Child Abuse Trauma: Theory and Treatment of the Lasting Effects. Sage Publications.
Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change. Guilford Press.