Validating assessment tools for identifying children with PTSD

Project title

Validating assessment tools for identifying children with PTSD

Project manager

Sille Schandorph Løkkegaard

Project description

Goal:
The goal of the project is to develop, standardize and validate three assessment instruments identifying PTSD symptoms in children among children at different age groups. Using standardized and validated assessment instruments will aid psychologists in early identification of trauma symptomatology in children who have been exposed to trauma and help qualify appropriate treatment for those in need.

Methods:
The three assessment tools are:

• The DIPA (Diagnostic Infant and Preschool Assessment) is a clinical semi-structured interview with the caregiver of the child and can be used in assessment of children in the age of 1-6 years;
• The OCTS (Odense Child Trauma Screening) is a story stem test that encompasses stories and play with dolls in a structured setting. The OCTS can be used for children in the age of 4-8 years; and
• The Darryl is a cartoon based test, in which pictures underpin questions and answers about PTSD-symptoms. Darryl can be used for children in the age of 6-12 years.

The three tests stem from three different test traditions and all three tests are developmentally sensitive.

Keywords

Validity, reliability, trauma, children, PTSD, Darryl Cartoon Test, DIPA, OCTS

Start date and expected end date

01.04.2015 - 18.11.2018

Main supervisor

Ask Elklit, SDU

Co-supervisors

Mette Elmose Andersen, SDU

Collaborators

Children's House South (DK: Børnehus Syd), Shelter Odense (DK: Krisecenter Odense); Children and Family Center, Vejle (DK: Børne & Familiecenteret Vejle); Psychologists for children and family, Assens (DK: Børne & Familiepsykologerne Assens Kommune); Center Initatives For Children And Youth (DK: Center for Indsatser til Børn & Unge), Growing and Learning, Fåborg-Midtfyn (DK: Opvækst & Læring Fåborg-Midtfyn Kommune)

Funding

Ole Kirk's Foundation