Measuring adolescents' exposure to violence and related PTSD symptoms: Reliability of an adaptation of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire

Abstract

Objective — This study aimed to assess the reliability
of an adaptation of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire for use in epidemiological
investigations of adolescents' exposure to violence and related post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Method — The exposure items of the Harvard Trauma
Questionnaire were adapted for the South African context. The symptoms scale
was left intact. Self-report questionnaires were administered on two occasions
to 104 students in four high schools in Cape
Town, South Africa.
Test-retest reliability was assessed using Cohen's kappa (k) and observed agreement, as well as a concordance correlation
coefficient for the symptoms scale. Cronbach's alpha
was used to assess internal consistency of the symptoms scale.

Results — All but one item showed at least fair test-retest reliability. Cronbach's alpha for the symptoms scale was 0.92, and the
concordance correlation coefficient between the total symptoms score at time 1
and time 2 was 0.64 (95% CI = 0.51–0.74).

Conclusions — Results suggest that the instrument may be sufficiently reliable for
use in epidemiological studies of adolescent populations, although this sample
is limited in several key respects. Further studies should investigate
reliability in broader samples, as well as examining validity.

Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health 2004, 16(1): 31–37