Development and Validation of the Childhood Interpersonal Trauma Questionnaire From Family,Teachers,and Peers (CITQ-FTP)

Abstract

Childhood is a critical period during which interpersonal relationships significantly influence psychological development. However, existing measures of childhood trauma often overlook the cumulative and interactive effects of adversities stemming from key socializing agents such as families, peers, and teachers. Our study aimed to fill this gap by developing and validating a new measure, the Childhood Interpersonal Trauma Questionnaire from Family, Teachers, and Peers (CITQ-FTP). In preliminary study, the initial pool of 92 items was used through the analysis of open-ended survey results and existing measures. In Study 1, structural analyses supported the proposed 5-factor solution and three items with the highest loadings on each factor, without salient, were retained. In Study 2, structural analyses supported the proposed 6-factor solution, and items with poor loadings or cross-loadings were subsequently revised or removed. After these modifications, the refined instrument consisted of 79 items. In Study 2, participants (N = 1,159) completed a battery of self-report measures, including the retained 79 CITQ-FTP items. Exploratory Factor Analysis resulted in the removal of items with factor loadings below 0.4 and those without salient cross-loadings, culminating in a final scale of 64 items. Subsequent Confirmatory Factor Analysis and assessments of reliability and validity collectively supported the construct validity of this refined scale. This comprehensive measure offers significant implications for both understanding the impacts of childhood interpersonal trauma and enhancing therapeutic interventions.