AUTHOR=García-Fernández Ainoa , Martínez-Cao Clara , Sánchez-Fernández-Quejo Alberto , Bobes-Bascarán Teresa , Andreo-Jover Jorge , Ayad-Ahmed Wala , Cebriá Ana Isabel , Díaz-Marsá Marina , Garrido-Torres Nathalia , Gómez Sandra , González-Pinto Ana , Grande Iria , Iglesias Noelia , March Katya B. , Palao Diego J. , Pérez-Díez Iván , Roberto Natalia , Ruiz-Veguilla Miguel , de la Torre-Luque Alejandro , Zorrilla Iñaki , Pérez Víctor ,  SURVIVE Group , Sáiz Pilar A. , García-Portilla María Paz 

TITLE=Validation of the Spanish Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form in adolescents with suicide attempts

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1378486

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1378486

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=Background: Child maltreatment is associated with a higher probability of mental disorders and suicidal behavior in adolescence. Therefore, accurate psychometric instruments are essential to assess this. Objective: To validate the Spanish version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) in adolescents with suicide attempts.
Methods: Multisite cohort study of 208 adolescents with suicide attempts using data from the following scales: Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and CTQ-SF. Statistical analysis: CTQ-SF scores analyzed by descriptive statistics. Internal consistency: McDonald’s omega and Cronbach's alpha. Concurrent validity with PHQ-9 and C-SSRS scores: Spearman correlation coefficient. Structural validity: Confirmatory factor analysis.
Results: Floor and ceiling effects: Physical abuse and neglect as well as sexual abuse demonstrated high floor effects (50.0, 35.1, and 61.1% of adolescents, respectively). No ceiling effects were found. The CTQ-SF had excellent internal consistency (McDonald’s omega=0.94), as did the majority of its subscales (Cronbach's alpha 0.925- 0.831) except for physical neglect (0.624). Its concurrent validity was modest, and the emotional neglect subscale had the lowest Spearman correlation coefficients (0.067- 0.244). Confirmatory factor analysis: Compared with alternative factor structures, the original CTQ-SF model (correlated 5-factor) exhibited a better fit [S-B χ2=676.653, p<0; RMSEA (90% CI=0.076-0.097)= 0.087; SRMR=0.078; CFI=0.980; TLI=0.978].
Conclusions: The Spanish CTQ-SF is a reliable, valid instrument for assessing traumatic experiences in adolescents at high risk of suicide. It appears appropriate for use in routine clinical practice to monitor maltreatment in this group.