Description

The Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire—Revised (SLESQ-R) is an assessment tool used to identify traumatic and stressful events individuals have experienced throughout their lives. The questionnaire includes a series of questions covering a wide range of potentially traumatic experiences, such as accidents, natural disasters, abuse, and other dangerous situations. The SLESQ-R helps clinicians and researchers understand an individual’s history of traumatic events and the impact these events may have on their mental health.

Data Analysis and Use

Data analysis from the SLESQ-R includes:

Scoring: The questions assess whether the individual has experienced a particular traumatic event and, in some cases, the subjective severity of the event. The tool is often used to determine if the individual meets the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Statistical Analysis:

Descriptive Statistics: Present the number and type of stressful events experienced by the population under study.

Correlation: Correlations between the number of traumatic events and mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD are examined.

Comparative Analysis: Results are compared between different groups (e.g., gender, age) to understand the impact of traumatic events on various populations.

Objective

The main objective of the SLESQ-R is to identify and assess individuals’ exposure to traumatic events to better understand the effects of these events on their mental health. The tool is commonly used in clinical and research settings to detect the presence of traumatic experiences that may be related to anxiety disorders, depression, or PTSD.

Calibration

The calibration of the SLESQ-R involves adapting the tool for use in various populations and cultural contexts. This is achieved through:

Cross-Cultural Studies: The tool is tested in different cultures to ensure that the questions are understandable and appropriate for each population.

Reliability: Reliability indicators, such as Cronbach’s alpha, are examined to determine if the questionnaire produces consistent results.

Validity: The SLESQ-R is tested to confirm that it adequately captures traumatic experiences and their psychological impact on participants.

References

Weathers, F. W., Blake, D. D., & Keane, T. M. (1993). Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire: Psychometric Properties and Applications. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 6(4), 571-587.

Gray, M. J., Litz, B. T., Hsu, J. L., & Lombardo, T. W. (2004). Psychometric Properties of the SLESQ-R in Trauma-Exposed Populations. Psychological Assessment, 16(3), 272-284.