Description

The Trauma History Screen (THS) is an assessment tool designed to record an individual’s history of traumatic events experienced throughout their life. It was developed to provide a quick and reliable method for documenting exposure to trauma and the emotional responses associated with those experiences.

Objective

The main objectives of the Trauma History Screen (THS) are:
Recording Traumatic Events: Gathering information regarding exposure to traumatic experiences such as natural disasters, accidents, violence, or abuse.
Assessing Emotional Responses: Documenting individuals’ emotional and psychological reactions to traumatic events.
Supporting Diagnosis and Treatment: Providing data that can aid in diagnosing trauma-related disorders and developing appropriate therapeutic interventions.

Analysis

The analysis of the THS includes:
Structure and Content:
The THS consists of a series of questions aimed at identifying specific traumatic events and the immediate emotional responses to them.
The questions are structured to cover a wide range of possible traumatic experiences.
Key Dimensions:
Type of Trauma: Categorization of the types of trauma experienced (e.g., physical, emotional, sexual).
Emotional Response: Evaluation of the intensity and duration of emotional reactions such as fear, anxiety, guilt, or sadness.
Timeline: Identifying when the event occurred and its immediate impact on the individual.
Statistical Analysis:
Analysis of the relationship between trauma exposure and psychological outcomes, such as the development of PTSD or other psychiatric conditions.

Scoring

Scoring for the THS includes:
Total Count of Traumatic Events: Counting the total number of events experienced by the individual, as well as related emotional responses.
Severity Estimation: Analyzing the intensity of emotional responses and their impact on mental health.
The scale is used to identify individuals who may require further evaluation or support due to trauma exposure.

References

Carlson, E. B., & Smith, S. R. (1997). Development and Validation of a Screen for Traumatic Events and Symptoms. Psychological Assessment, 9(4), 445–451.
Hooper, L. M., Stockton, P., Krupnick, J. L., & Green, B. L. (2011). Development, Use, and Psychometric Properties of the Trauma History Questionnaire. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 16(3), 258–283.
Weathers, F. W., Blake, D. D., Schnurr, P. P., Kaloupek, D. G., Marx, B. P., & Keane, T. M. (2013). The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5). National Center for PTSD.
These sources provide information on the development, evaluation, and application of the THS, offering insight into its use for understanding the impact of traumatic experiences and supporting clinical practice.