Psychometric Properties of the Swedish version of the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) in a mixed trauma sample – a comprehensive evaluation
Abstract
Background. The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) is the most widely used self-report measure of ICD-11 PTSD and Complex PTSD (CPTSD), but its psychometric properties have not been evaluated in a Swedish context, and few studies have examined its properties as a screening tool against clinician-assessed PTSD and CPTSD. Methods. In a Swedish adult trauma-exposed sample (N = 276), we examined internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and the latent structure of the standard 12-item ITQ and an extended item pool with the 22-item developer version (D-ITQ) using confirmatory factor analysis. In a subsample assessed with the International Trauma Interview (n = 248), we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of ITQ scores and algorithms and compared pattern of subscale scores across clinician-assessed diagnostic groups. Results. Reliability was good for the ITQ total, PTSD, and DSO scores but low for affective dysregulation (α = .53). Factor models for the standard ITQ produced inadmissible solutions, with affective dysregulation and difficulties in relationships empirically inseparable (r = 1.09). The D-ITQ had no improper estimates but global fit remained inadequate and the two factors stayed highly correlated. ITQ sum score thresholds showed high overall accuracy, but levels of specificity were low on ≥ .80 sensitivity for PTSD. Algorithm-based classifications showed high specificity but modest sensitivity for PTSD and low positive predictive value for CPTSD. Subscale profiles matched ICD-11 expectations, with negative self-concept showing the largest divergence between PTSD and CPTSD cases. Conclusions. The Swedish ITQ is reliable and valid for symptom assessment and screening but is best complemented by clinical assessment. Persistent difficulty separating DSO factors, together with the two-item factors, suggests that a version of the ITQ with more items would be valuable for future research on the ICD-11 constructs.
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BibTeX
@misc{bondjers2026psychometric,
title = {{Psychometric Properties of the Swedish version of the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) in a mixed trauma sample – a comprehensive evaluation}},
author = {Kristina Bondjers and Albin Granlöf and Josefin Sveen and Filip Arnberg},
howpublished = {PsyArXiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.31234/osf.io/8xcdm_v1},
url = {https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/8xcdm_v1/},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Psychometric Properties of the Swedish version of the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) in a mixed trauma sample – a comprehensive evaluation
AU - Kristina Bondjers
AU - Albin Granlöf
AU - Josefin Sveen
AU - Filip Arnberg
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/17
PB - PsyArXiv
DO - 10.31234/osf.io/8xcdm_v1
UR - https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/8xcdm_v1/
AB - Background. The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) is the most widely used self-report measure of ICD-11 PTSD and Complex PTSD (CPTSD), but its psychometric properties have not been evaluated in a Swedish context, and few studies have examined its properties as a screening tool against clinician-assessed PTSD and CPTSD. Methods. In a Swedish adult trauma-exposed sample (N = 276), we examined internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and the latent structure of the standard 12-item ITQ and an extended item pool with the 22-item developer version (D-ITQ) using confirmatory factor analysis. In a subsample assessed with the International Trauma Interview (n = 248), we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of ITQ scores and algorithms and compared pattern of subscale scores across clinician-assessed diagnostic groups. Results. Reliability was good for the ITQ total, PTSD, and DSO scores but low for affective dysregulation (α = .53). Factor models for the standard ITQ produced inadmissible solutions, with affective dysregulation and difficulties in relationships empirically inseparable (r = 1.09). The D-ITQ had no improper estimates but global fit remained inadequate and the two factors stayed highly correlated. ITQ sum score thresholds showed high overall accuracy, but levels of specificity were low on ≥ .80 sensitivity for PTSD. Algorithm-based classifications showed high specificity but modest sensitivity for PTSD and low positive predictive value for CPTSD. Subscale profiles matched ICD-11 expectations, with negative self-concept showing the largest divergence between PTSD and CPTSD cases. Conclusions. The Swedish ITQ is reliable and valid for symptom assessment and screening but is best complemented by clinical assessment. Persistent difficulty separating DSO factors, together with the two-item factors, suggests that a version of the ITQ with more items would be valuable for future research on the ICD-11 constructs.
ER -