Associated symptoms of traumatization: A scale validation of Trauma symptoms checklist - 26 (TSC-26)

Background

The Trauma Symptoms Checklist-26 (TSC-26) has been used to measure negative affectivity, somatization, and dissociation in several Danish studies, but it has never been validated.

Method

Using data from five studies involving 1576 participants, the factor structure of the TSC- 26 was explored using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Correlation analyses of the associations between scales on the TSC-26 total score, its subscales, and scores on scales measuring related constructs were carried out. Independent samples t-tests of exposure variables were conducted. A test-retest analysis was performed, and Cronbach's alpha was calculated as measures of reliability.

Results

The CFA confirmed the expected three-factor structure of the TSC-26, which obtained an acceptable fit with three modifications. The correlation analyses showed strong correlations between TSC-26 and related scales. Independent samples t-tests found significant differences in TSC-26 scores between high- and low trauma exposure groups. Both measures of reliability resulted in high reliability coefficients for the whole scale as well as subscales. Reliability measures and test-retest coefficients were excellent.

Conclusion

The total score of the TSC-26 can validly be used to measure negative affectivity, somatization, and dissociation in samples of traumatized individuals. A few scale modifications and the development of a cut-off score are recommended in future studies.