Child Revised Impact of Events Scale - 13 (CRIES-13)
What is it?
The CRIES-13 (Child Revised Impact of Events Scale - 13) is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess symptoms of post-traumatic stress in children and adolescents who have experienced a distressing or traumatic event. The CRIES-13 helps identify whether a child is struggling with symptoms related to trauma, such as intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviors, or feelings of being constantly on edge.
This tool is widely used in clinical, educational, and research settings to quickly screen for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in young people. The CRIES-13 is a brief but effective tool, making it a valuable resource for identifying children who may need further support.
How is it used?
The CRIES-13 is designed for children and adolescents aged 8 to 18 years and typically takes only about 5-10 minutes to complete. It asks children to reflect on their experiences over the past week, focusing on how often they have certain thoughts or feelings related to a distressing event.
This questionnaire is often used in schools, clinics, and therapy settings to identify trauma-related symptoms early on. It can guide clinicians in determining whether a child may benefit from further assessment or therapeutic support.
What do the scores mean?
The CRIES-13 consists of 13 questions, each rated on a scale from not at all to often. The questions are grouped into three key areas (subscales):
- Intrusion: Unwanted thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares related to the traumatic event.
- Avoidance: Efforts to avoid reminders of the trauma, whether through thoughts, feelings, or places.
- Hyperarousal: Feeling jumpy, on edge, or having trouble concentrating and sleeping.
The total score ranges from 0 to 65, with higher scores indicating more severe trauma-related symptoms. Each subscale score can also provide insights into the specific types of distress the child is experiencing. Here’s how to interpret the total score:
- 0 to 17: Low levels of trauma-related symptoms. The child is likely coping well and may not need further intervention.
- 18 to 29: Moderate symptoms. There may be some distress, and it might be helpful to monitor the child and consider supportive interventions if needed.
- 30 and above: High levels of trauma-related symptoms. This suggests significant distress, and a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional is recommended to explore possible PTSD and provide appropriate support.
The subscale scores can also be useful for identifying specific areas of concern. For example, a high score in the Intrusion subscale indicates that the child is struggling with persistent, distressing memories, while a high score in Avoidance suggests efforts to block out reminders of the trauma.
What does the research say?
The CRIES-13 is backed by research and has been shown to be both reliable (providing consistent results) and valid (accurately identifying trauma-related symptoms). It has been widely used in studies around the world to assess trauma in children and adolescents, making it a trusted tool for early identification of PTSD symptoms.
One of the key strengths of the CRIES-13 is its simplicity and speed, making it easy for children to complete without feeling overwhelmed. It focuses on the most essential aspects of trauma-related stress, helping clinicians quickly identify children who may need further support or intervention.
Developer:
Children and War Foundation