Skip to main content

Validation of the Extreme Experiences Scale (EX2) for Armed Conflict Contexts

Abstract

Psychological approaches to the study of armed conflict have focused on analyzing post-traumatic stress outcomes, and on evaluating the intensity of exposure to violent confrontation. Nevertheless, psychometrically valid tools required for measuring these traumatic experiences are scarce To validate the Extreme Experiences scale (EX2) for armed conflict contexts for its use in Colombia, and to provide a framework for validation in conflict contexts around the world This Cross-sectional aims to validate the scale with 187 participants, study of validate with 187 participants, comprising population with high exposure to conflict (former combatants and a set of armed conflict victims) and low conflict-exposed individuals (control group). Structures of two domains and 18 items were confirmed: Direct Extreme Experiences (dEX2) and Indirect Extreme Experiences (iEX2); these dimensions were also validated by expert judgment, producing 14-item version. Good levels of internal consistency were found, with a KR-20 of 0.80 for the 18-item version, and 0.77 for the 14-item. The scale differentiates between population with ‘high exposure to conflict’ from population with ‘low exposure’ (dnp > 0.5 and area under the ROC >0.90). The scale scores have significant correlation with some mental health constructs. The EX2 scale has good internal consistency, as well as structural validity with regard to exposed groups. This scale can be potentially validated for its use in countries with armed confrontation history. In future versions, the scale may include additional items in order to improve content validity.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Notes

  1. The ECAE scale has not been validated, its original authors have used it as a screening test to identify extreme experiences and subsequently with the VIVO instrument (Ontological Vital Impact Assessment) identify strategies and the ability of people to cope to difficult experiences in order to deepen the vital impact of extreme. The instrument can be found on the following page: http://www.psicosocial.info/cuestionario/cuestionario.php

  2. CERAC - Conflict Analysis Resource Center. Data on the armed conflict in Colombia, 2017: http://www.cerac.org.co/es/recursos/datosconflictoscolombia/

  3. Updated figures are available at https://cifras.unidadvictimas.gov.co/.

  4. The National Historical Memory Commission, for instance, suggests the systematic measure of the following categories: 1) displacement of population; 2) land eviction; 3) kidnapping; 4) extortion; 5) illicit recruitment of children; 6) torture; 7) homicide of protected persons, selective assassination, and massacre; 8) threats; 9) crimes against freedom and sexual integrity; 10) forced disappearance; 11) antipersonnel mines, unexploded munitions, and improvised explosive devices; 12) attacks on and losses of civil property; and 13) attacks on public property.

References

  1. Ávila-Toscano J, Cogollo Ferraro L. Motivos asociados a la conducta violenta contra la pareja en hombres desmovilizados del conflicto armado. Investig Desarro. 2011;19(1):88–115.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Blake D, Weathers F, Nagy L, Kaloupek D, Klauminzer G, Charney D. A clinical rating scale for assessing current and lifetime PTSD: the CAPS-1. Behav Ther. 1990;13:187–8.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Bonett DG. Sample size requirements for testing and estimating coefficient alpha. J Educ Behav Stat. 2002;27(4):335–40. https://doi.org/10.3102/10769986027004335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Bonett D, Wrigth T. Sample size requirements for estimating pearson, kendall and spearman correlations. Psychometrika. 2000:23–8.

  5. Braun-Lewensohn O, Celestin-Westreich S, Celestin LP, Verleye G, Verte D, Ponjaert-Kristoffersen I. Coping styles as moderating the relationships between terrorist attacks and well-being outcomes. J Adolesc. 2009;32(3):585–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2008.06.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Browne MW. An overview of analytic rotation in exploratory factor analysis. Multivar Behav Res. 2001;36(1):111–50. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327906MBR3601_05.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Brück T, Justino P, Verwimp P, Tedesco A. Measuring conflict exposure in micro-level surveys. Washington, DC: World Bank Group; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Brugha T, Bebbington P, Tennant C, Hurry J. The list of threatening experiences: a subset of 12 life event categories with considerable long-term contextual threat. Psychol Med. 1985;15(1):189–94. https://doi.org/10.1017/S003329170002105X.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Campo-Arias A, Sanabria AR, Ospino A, Guerra VM, Caamaño H. Multiple-victimization due to armed conflict and emotional distress in the state of Magdalena, Colombia. Rev Colomb Psiquiatr. 2017;46(3):147–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcpeng.2016.06.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Cederman LE, Weidmann NB. Predicting armed conflict: time to adjust our expectations? Science. 2017;355(6324):474–6. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aal4483.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Colombia and Programa Presidencial de los derechos humanos. Atlas del impacto regional del conflicto armado en Colombia: Dinámicas locales y regionales en el período 1990-2013. Imprenta Nacional de Colombia, 2013; 1.

  12. Colombia, Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS)., & Observatorio Nacional de Salud (ONS). Consecuencias del conflicto armado en salud en Colombia: Informe técnico 9 / 2017. 2017;9, 340, Colombia. Informe.

  13. Curtis A, Ye X, Hachey K, Bourdeaux M, Norris A. A space–time analysis of the WikiLeaks afghan war diary: a resource for analyzing the conflict-health nexus. Int J Health Geogr. 2015;14(1):29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12942-015-0022-8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. Davidson JR, Book SW, Colket JT, Tupler LA, Roth S, David D, et al. Assessment of a new self-rating scale for post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychol Med. 1997;27(1):153–60. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291796004229.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. de Vet, H., Terwee, C. B., Mokkink, L. B., & Knol, D. L. Measurement in medicine: a practical guide. Cambridge University Press, 2011; https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511996214.

  16. Díaz-Granados ETA. Traumas asociados a violencia en excombatientes de grupos armados ilegales. Rev Psicol Univ Antioquia. 2015;7(1):21–34.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Eiroa F. Creación de un perfil de creencias básicas en afectados por accidentes de tráfico. Tesis doctoral Procesos Sociocognitivos en Psicología Social. Madrid: Universidad Nacional de Educación; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Escrivá VM, Navarro MD, Samper P. La medida de la empatía: análisis del Interpersonal Reactivity Index. Psicothema. 2004;16(2):255–60.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Fritz CO, Morris PE, Richler JJ. Effect size estimates: current use, calculations, and interpretation. J Exp Psychol Gen. 2012;141(1):2–18. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024338.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Gallaway MS, Fink DS, Millikan AM, Bell MR. Factors associated with physical aggression among US Army soldiers. Aggress Behav. 2012;38(5):357–67. https://doi.org/10.1002/ab.21436.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Garcia-Barrera MA, Karr JE, Trujillo-Orrego N, Trujillo-Orrego S, Pineda DA. Evaluating empathy in Colombian ex-combatants: examination of the internal structure of the interpersonal reactivity index (IRI) in Spanish. Psychol Assess. 2017;29(1):116–22. https://doi.org/10.1037/pas0000331.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Gómez-Restrepo C, Tamayo-Martínez N, Buitrago G, Guarnizo-Herreño C, Garzón-Orjuela N, Eslava-Schmalbach J, et al. Violencia por conflicto armado y prevalencia de trastornos del estado de ánimo, ansiedad y problemas mentales en la población adulta colombiana. Rev Colomb Psiquiatr. 2016;45(Suppl 1):147–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcp.2016.11.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Gómez-Restrepo C, Cruz-Ramírez V, Medina-Rico M, Rincón CJ. Mental health in displaced children by armed conflict-National Mental Health Survey Colombia 2015. Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2018;46(2):51–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Hu LT, Bentler PM. Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis: conventional criteria versus new alternatives. Struct Equ Model Multidiscip J. 1999;6(1):1–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705519909540118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Juárez-Acosta F, Montejo-Hernández M. Propiedades psicométricas del inventario de situaciones y comportamientos agresivos y del inventario de motivos para la agresión. Univ Psychol. 2008;7(1):149–71.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Justino P. Poverty and violent conflict: a micro-level perspective on the causes and duration of warfare. J Peace Res. 2009;46(3):315–33. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022343309102655.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Keane TM, Fairbank JA, Zimering RT, Taylor KL, Mora CA. Clinical evaluation of a measure to assess combat exposure. Psychol Assess J Consult Clin Psychol. 1989;1(1):53. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.1.1.53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Kruskal W. A nonparametric test for the several sample problem. Ann Math Stat. 1941;12:461–3. https://doi.org/10.1214/aoms/1177729332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Kuder GF, Richardson MW. The theory of estimation of test reliability. Psychometrika. 1937;2(3):151–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02288391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Kumar R, Indrayan A. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for medical researchers. Indian Pediatr. 2011;48(4):277–87. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-011-0055-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Lawshe CH. A quantitative approach to content validity. Pers Psychol. 1975;28(4):563–75. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6570.1975.tb01393.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Loarche, G. (2015). Impacto vital en experiencias extremas. Estudio sobre el trauma psicosocial de los habitantes de la ciudad de Young en relación al siniestro ferroviario del año 2006. Tesis Magíster en Psicología Social. Uruguay: Universidad de la República.

  33. Lynn MR. Determination and quantification of content validity. Nurs Res. 1986;35:382–5. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006199-198611000-00017.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  34. McDowell I. The theoretical and technical foundations of health measurement measuring health: a guide to rating scales and questionnaires. New York: Oxford University Press; 2006. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195165678.001.0001.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  35. Mokkink LB, Terwee CB, Knol DL, Stratford PW, Alonso J, Patrick DL, et al. The COSMIN checklist for evaluating the methodological quality of studies on measurement properties: a clarification of its content. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2010;10(1):22. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-10-22.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Morina N, Stam K, Pollet TV, Priebe S. Prevalence of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in adult civilian survivors of war who stay in war-afflicted regions. A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies. J Affect Disord. 2018;239:328–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.07.027.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Motrico E, Rodero-Cosano ML, Álvarez Gálvez J, Salinas-Pérez JA, Moreno-Peral P. Measures for the assessment of stressful life events in the Spanish adult population: a systematic review. Ann Psychol. 2017;33(3):556–67. https://doi.org/10.6018/analesps.33.3.236631.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Moya A. Violence, psychological trauma, and risk attitudes: evidence from victims of violence in Colombia. J Dev Econ. 2018;131(C):15–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2017.11.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Muñoz LC, Qualter P, Padgett G. Empathy and bullying: exploring the influence of callous-unemotional traits. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2011;42(2):183–96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-010-0206-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Muthén B, Asparouhov T. Latent variable analysis with categorical outcomes: multiple-group and growth modeling in Mplus. Mplus Web Note. 2002;4(5):1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Muthén, L. K. & Muthén, B. O.. MPlus: statistical analysis with latent variables–user’s guide; 2012.

  42. Navarro-Lashayas MA, Eiroa-Orosa FJ. Substance use and psychological distress is related with accommodation status among homeless immigrants. Am J Orthop. 2017;87(1):23–33. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Nussio E, Oppenheim B. Anti-social capital in former members of non-state armed groups: a case study of Colombia. Stud Confl Terrorism. 2014;37:999–1023. https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2014.962438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Nuttman-Shwartz O, Shoval-Zuckerman Y. Continuous traumatic situations in the face of ongoing political violence: the relationship between CTS and PTSD. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2016;17(5):562–70. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838015585316.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Pérez P, Vergara M. Prevención de las secuelas psicológicas crónicas en pacientes víctimas de experiencias vitales extremas: accidentes de tráfico y laborales. Madrid: Fundación Mapfre; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Pérez, P., Olivos, P., Eiroa, F., and Barbero-Val, E.. Cuestionario V.I.V.O: La medida del impacto psicológico de experiencias extremas. Diseño, Validación y Manual de Aplicación. (1a ed., pp. 24-25). Madrid. Irredentos Libros; 2014.

  47. Piantadosi S, Byar DP, Green SB. The ecological fallacy. Am J Epidemiol. 1988;127(5):893–904. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a114892.

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Pineda DA, Aguirre-Acevedo DC, Trujillo N, Valencia AM, Pareja A, Tobón C, et al. Dimensions of empathy in ex-combatants of the Colombian armed conflict using a standardized scale. Rev Colomb Psiquiatr. 2013;42(1):9–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0034-7450(14)60084-6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Pizarro, E. & León-Gómez, E. P.. Pizarro, E 2015: Leon gómez, E. P. Una lectura múltiple y pluralista de la historia. Contribución al entendimiento del conflicto armado en Colombia, 2015;3–94.

  50. Porter B, Hoge CW, Tobin LE, Donoho CJ, Castro CA, Luxton DD, et al. Measuring aggregated and specific combat exposures: associations between combat exposure measures and posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and alcohol-related problems. J Trauma Stress. 2018;31(2):296–306. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22273.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Punamäki RL, Palosaari E, Diab M, Peltonen K, Qouta SR. Trajectories of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) after major war among Palestinian children: trauma, family-and child-related predictors. J Affect Disord. 2015;172:133–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.09.021.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Restrepo A, Aponte D. Guerra y violencias en Colombia: herramientas e interpretaciones. Bogotá: Edtorial Universidad Javeriana. Avaliable; 2009. https://www.cerac.org.co/es/assets/files/guerrayviolencias/Libro_CERAC_.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  53. Rodríguez-Calvache MV, Quintero-Zea A, Trujillo-Orrego SP, Trujillo-Orrego N, López-Hincapié JD. Detecting atypical functioning of emotional processing in Colombian ex-combatants. Tecno Lógicas. 2017;20(40):83–93. https://doi.org/10.22430/22565337.710.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Rubin OD, Ihle R. Measuring temporal dimensions of the intensity of violent political conflict. Soc Indic Res. 2016;132(2):621–42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-016-1316-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Siskind DJ, Sawyer E, Lee I, Lie DC, Martin-Khan M, Farrington J, et al. The mental health of older persons after human- induced disasters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological data. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2016;24(5):379–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2015.12.010.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Slone M, Mann S. Effects of war, terrorism and armed conflict on young children: a systematic review. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2016;47(6):950–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-016-0626-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Slone M, Shoshani A. Psychiatric effects of protracted conflict and political life events exposure among adolescents in Israel: 1998–2011. J Trauma Stress. 2014;27(3):353–60. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.21918.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Slone M, Lavi I, Ozer EJ, Pollak A. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: meta-analysis of exposure and outcome relations for children of the region. Child Youth Serv Rev. 2017;74:50–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.01.019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Streiner DL. Figuring out factors: the use and misuse of factor analysis. Can J Psychiatr. 1994;39(3):135–40. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674379403900303.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Streiner, D. L., Norman, G. R., & Cairney, J.. Health measurement scales: a practical guide to their development and use. Oxford University Press, USA; 2015. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004356-199112000-00017.

  61. Suárez RS. Trastorno de estrés postraumático, ansiedad y depresión en adolescentes y adultos expuestos al conflicto armado en Colombia 2005–2008. Medicina. 2016;38(2):134–56.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Taft CT, Vogt DS, Marshall AD, Panuzio J, Niles BL. Aggression among combat veterans: relationships with combat exposure and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, dysphoria, and anxiety. J Trauma Stress. 2007;20(2):135–45. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.20197.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Tamayo Martínez N, Rincón Rodríguez CJ, de Santacruz C, Bautista Bautista N, Collazos J, Gómez-Restrepo C. Mental problems, mood and anxiety disorders in the population displaced by violence in Colombia; results of the National Mental Health Survey 2015. Rev Colomb Psiquiatr. 2016;45:113–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcp.2016.09.004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Tobón C, Aguirre-Acevedo DC, Velilla L, Duque J, Ramos CP, Pineda D. Psychiatric, cognitive and emotional profile in ex- combatants of illegal armed groups in Colombia. Rev Colomb Psiquiatr. 2016;45(1):28–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcp.2015.07.004.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Tristán-López A. Modificación al modelo de Lawshe para el dictamen cuantitativo de la validez de contenido de un instrumento objetivo. Av Med. 2008;6:37–48.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Ugarriza JE, Pabón N. Militares y guerrillas: la memoria histórica del conflicto armado en Colombia desde los archivos militares, 1958–2016. Bogotá: Editorial Universidad del Rosario; 2017. https://doi.org/10.12804/tj9789587388596.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  67. Weidmann NB, Ward MD. Predicting conflict in space and time. J Confl Resolut. 2010;54(6):883–901. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022002710371669.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Weierstall R, Castellanos CPB, Neuner F, Elbert T. Relations among appetitive aggression, post-traumatic stress and motives for demobilization: a study in former Colombian combatants. Confl Heal. 2013;7(1):9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1505-7-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Xue C, Ge Y, Tang B, Liu Y, Kang P, Wang M, et al. A meta-analysis of risk factors for combat-related PTSD among military personnel and veterans. PLoS One. 2015;10(3):0120270. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0120270.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We express gratitude to the participants who shared their experiences. To governmental administrations of two municipalities of Antioquia, Colombia. To the support of the Mental Health and Epidemiology research groups at National School of Public Health at Universidad de Antioquia, and the project “Evaluating the effectiveness of individual training in social cognition in the behavioral improvement of observed deficiencies and modulations of brain connectivity patterns in a sample of former armed group combatants’. To the Agency for the Reincorporation and Normalization (ARN), and to the Justice and Peace Program at Medellín. To Dr. Pau Pérez and his work team allowed us to study the psychometric properties of their original questionnaire. To Dr. Sandra Alvarán, from the Mental Health Group, for her fieldwork contribution. Finally, to the experts who participated in the content validity process: Jenny García, Difariney González, Nora Londoño, Dora Hernández, Eneida Puerta, Claudia Osorio, Diana María Castro, and José David López.

Funding

Research funded by the Mental Health Group, Epidemiology Group (Universidad de Antioquia), and Colciencias project 777–111577757638.

Author information

Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. Trujillo.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

The research ethics committee of the National School of Public Health at the University of Antioquia, with certificate CI 00236–2018 given in Medellín. gave ethical approval for the study.

Informed Consent

Both, participants and experts were informed about the aims of the study and gave their informed consent, guaranteed the appropriate conditions of archiving, confidentiality, storage, and manipulation of information.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(PDF 543 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Giraldo, L.S., Aguirre-Acevedo, D.C., Trujillo, S. et al. Validation of the Extreme Experiences Scale (EX2) for Armed Conflict Contexts. Psychiatr Q 91, 495–520 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-020-09710-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-020-09710-z

Keywords

  • Extreme experiences scale
  • Validation
  • War exposure
  • Armed conflict
  • Mental health
  • Victims
  • Ex-combatants
  • Colombia