The psychometric characteristics of the traumatic experiences checklist (TEC): first findings among psychiatric outpatients

• Published in: Clinical psychology and psychotherapy 2002-05, Vol.9 (3), p.200-210
• Main Authors: Nijenhuis, Ellert R. S., Van der Hart, Onno, Kruger, Karlien
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1063-3995; 1099-0879
• DOI: 10.1002/cpp.332

The objective of the study was to assess the reliability and validity of a retrospective self‐report measure of potential traumatic experiences among psychiatric outpatients. The range of evaluated experiences includes emotional neglect and abuse. Participants completed the Traumatic Experiences Checklist (TEC) (N = 153), a self‐report trauma questionnaire of known psychometric qualities, i.e. the Stressful Life Experiences Questionnaire (SLESQ), and self‐report measures of somatoform dissociation (SDQ‐20), psychoform dissociation (DES). A majority (N = 115) completed the TEC twice, and also completed a measure of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSD‐ss). The TEC's internal consistency and test–retest reliability were good, and the TEC strongly correlated with the SLESQ. Associations between the TEC and the PTSD‐ss, DES, and SDQ‐20 supported the criterion‐related validity of the TEC. The internal consistency, test–retest reliability and criterion‐related validity of TEC trauma area presence and severity scores were also satisfactory. Preliminary findings suggest that the psychometric characteristics of the TEC are good. Future study of the TEC should include larger samples of psychiatric patients, as well as non‐clinical groups. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.