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Psychometric Properties of the German Version of the Child Post-Traumatic Cognitions Inventory (CPTCI-GER)

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Abstract

Dysfunctional trauma-related cognitions are associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The psychometric properties of the German version of the Child Post-Traumatic Cognitions Inventory (CPTCI-GER) were assessed in a sample of 223 children and adolescents (7–16 years) with a history of different traumatic events. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the original two-factor structure—permanent and disturbing change (CPTCI-PC) and fragile person in a scary world (CPTCI-SW). The total scale and both subscales showed good internal consistency. Participants with PTSD had significantly more dysfunctional trauma-related cognitions than those without PTSD. Dysfunctional posttraumatic cognitions correlated significantly with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS; r = .62), depression (r = .71), and anxiety (r = .67). The CPTCI-GER has good psychometric properties and may facilitate evaluation of treatments and further research on the function of trauma-related cognitions in children and adolescents. (Partial) correlations provide empirical support for the combined DSM-5 symptom cluster negative alterations in cognitions and mood.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standard

This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Ulm and has therefore been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. All caregivers or legal guardians provided their informed consent, and children and adolescents provided their informed assent prior to their inclusion in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany

    Anke de Haan & Lutz Goldbeck

  2. Center of Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany

    Franz Petermann

  3. University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK

    Richard Meiser-Stedman

Authors
  1. Anke de Haan
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  2. Franz Petermann
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  3. Richard Meiser-Stedman
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  4. Lutz Goldbeck
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anke de Haan.

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de Haan, A., Petermann, F., Meiser-Stedman, R. et al. Psychometric Properties of the German Version of the Child Post-Traumatic Cognitions Inventory (CPTCI-GER). Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 47, 151–158 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-015-0552-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-015-0552-0

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