C-PTSD Assessment in Diagnosing Individuals Affected by Violence: A Preliminary Questionnaire Analysis

Abstract

Post-traumatic disorders are among the most frequently diagnosed mental health conditions.  They are typically identified through interviews and self-report tools. Among these disorders, the ICD-11 chapter on stress-related conditions includes Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), which often occurs in people affected by prolonged domestic violence. It is also seen in refugees, torture survivors, victims of persecution, and individuals who have endured lengthy and painful treatments due to chronic disease. This article presents a questionnaire created by the author to assess C-PTSD. It also discusses the validity studies of this questionnaire, which analyze the correlations between its scales with variables describing cognitive, emotional and social functioning.   

The subject of the research was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the C-PTSD questionnaire. The author’s intent is to propose this tool for diagnosing C-PTSD disorders particularly for use by professionals working with victims of violence. In addition to diagnosing these individuals the questionnaire can also help assess difficulties in forming relationships, including intimate partnerships. The research utilized a diagnostic survey method, with questionnaires designed to measure variables that, according to existing research, correlate with C-PTSD symptoms. The findings indicate that the questionnaire is sufficiently valid and reliable, though further studies with larger sample sizes are necessary.