Psychometric Validation of the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ-18) in Middle-Aged Iranian Women in 2023

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) has been recognized as a distinct disorder from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the eleventh revision of the disease classification system (ICD-11). The international trauma Questionnaires have been developed to measure C-PTSD. This study was conducted to enhance the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the 18-item International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ-18 Items). This research followed a descriptive-evaluative approach. The last version of ITQ was translated and back-translated, and its content validity was assessed through measurement and obtained above 0.70. The statistical population consisted of non-clinical married middle-aged women in the age range of 30 to 40 years who were registered in the comprehensive health services center electronic system of Bushehr province in the year 2022-2023. They responded to the questionnaires over a two-month period using a multistage cluster sampling method. To assess concurrent validity, the hospital anxiety and depression questionnaire along with adverse childhood experiences were used. The data were analyzed employing confirmatory factor analysis and correlation coefficient analysis. Findings indicated that, considering SRMR=0.56, RMSEA=0.61, TLI=0.943, CFI=0.959, and BIC=21879.875, the optimal fit was found in the second-order two-factor model. A statistically significant positive relationship was found between CPTSD and clinical anxiety and depression (p<0.01). Additionally, adverse childhood experiences showed a correlation (p<0.01). According to the findings of the present study, it can be stated that the Persian version of the ITQ-18 Items, by the ICD-11, exhibits appropriate psychometric properties.