International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ)
What is it?
he ITQ (International Trauma Questionnaire) is a self-report questionnaire developed to assess the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD). Unlike other trauma measures, the ITQ is specifically aligned with the diagnostic criteria outlined in the ICD-11 (International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision). This makes it especially useful for identifying symptoms according to the most recent guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The ITQ focuses on core symptoms of PTSD, as well as the additional symptoms associated with Complex PTSD, which can occur when someone experiences prolonged or repeated trauma, such as childhood abuse or ongoing domestic violence.
How is it used?
The ITQ is suitable for adults and usually takes around 5-10 minutes to complete. It includes questions that ask individuals to reflect on how they’ve been feeling in the past month in relation to a traumatic event. This makes it an effective tool for both screening and monitoring symptoms over time.
The ITQ is often used in clinical settings, therapy sessions, or even in research to better understand the impact of trauma. While it’s not a standalone diagnostic tool, it can be incredibly helpful in starting conversations about trauma-related symptoms and determining whether someone might benefit from further assessment or treatment.
What do the scores mean?
The ITQ consists of 18 items, with questions grouped into two main sections: PTSD and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD).
The first part of the ITQ focuses on three core areas of PTSD: 1. Re-experiencing (intrusive memories, flashbacks, or nightmares). 2. Avoidance (trying to avoid thoughts, feelings, or reminders of the trauma). 3. Sense of threat (feeling constantly on edge or easily startled).
In addition to the core PTSD symptoms, the ITQ also looks at symptoms of Complex PTSD, which includes: 1. Affective Dysregulation (difficulty managing emotions). 2. Negative Self-Concept (feelings of worthlessness or failure). 3. Relationship Disturbances (problems feeling close to others or trusting them).
For scoring and Interpretation:
- PTSD: A diagnosis of PTSD may be indicated if someone reports significant symptoms (scores of 2 or higher) in each of the core areas: re-experiencing, avoidance, and sense of threat.
- Complex PTSD: A diagnosis of Complex PTSD requires meeting the criteria for PTSD plus significant symptoms in the additional areas: affective dysregulation, negative self-concept, and relationship disturbances.
The ITQ not only looks at the presence of symptoms but also asks how much these symptoms affect daily life, such as relationships, work, or social activities.
What does the research say?
The ITQ was developed by trauma experts to align with the ICD-11 criteria, making it a trusted tool worldwide. It has been shown to be both reliable (providing consistent results) and valid (accurately identifying trauma-related symptoms). Its focus on both PTSD and Complex PTSD provides a more comprehensive view of how trauma can impact someone’s life.
One of the strengths of the ITQ is its ability to distinguish between PTSD and Complex PTSD, which can help clinicians tailor treatment more effectively. The questionnaire’s focus on how symptoms affect daily functioning also provides deeper insights into the level of distress someone might be experiencing.
Developer:
The International Trauma Questionnaire was developed by the The International Trauma Consortium
Cloitre et al., (2018). The International Trauma Questionnaire: Development of a self-report measure of ICD-11 PTSD and Complex PTSD. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica. 138: 536–546.
Further References:
Redican et al., (2021). A systematic literature review of factor analytic and mixture models of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD using the International Trauma Questionnaire. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 79: 102381.
Cloitre et al., (2021). The international trauma questionnaire (ITQ) measures reliable and clinically significant treatment-related change in PTSD and complex PTSD. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12: Article 1930961.
Brewin et al., (2017). A review of current evidence regarding the ICD-11 proposals for diagnosing PTSD and complex PTSD. Clinical Psychology Review, 58: 1–15.
Shevlin et al., (2018). A psychometric assessment of Disturbances in Self-Organization symptom indicators for ICD-11 Complex PTSD using the International Trauma Questionnaire, European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 9:1