Research Article Analysis of the Validity Scales in the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children

Objective: Little empirical attention has been paid to the validity scales of the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC). The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of cases identified by the validity scales and its analytical impact. Methods: The current study compares regression models using data from two community samples (n 3,724 and n 2,245) and two samples of at-risk youth (n 1,758 and n 204). Using Chow tests to compare coefficients, we demonstrate the implications of removing cases identified by the TSCC validity scales. Results: The Underresponse (UND) scale identified 8 % of the community sample and 20 % of the at-risk sample. Chow tests revealed significant group differences based on the UND scale for all TSCC subscales. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates the analytical impact of the TSCC validity scales and provides statistical evidence for the removal of invalid cases. Keywords trauma assessment, trauma symptoms, validity scales Researchers have paid much attention to trauma symptoms in youth, particularly those who have been exposed to violence, abuse, and other traumatic events. Generally, studies have shown that a significant number of youth are exposed to vio-lence and maltreatment. Recent data from the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence that examined a national sample of 4,503 children and adolescents aged 1 month to 17 years found that 41.2 % have been a victim of a physical assault, 5.6 % have been a victim of a sexual assault, and 13.8 % have been a victim of maltreatment in the past year (Finkelhor, Turner, Shattuck, & Hamby, 2013). Traumatic symptoms in youth experiencing other types of trauma such as accidents and natural disasters are also quite prevalent (De Young, Kenardy, Cobham, & Kimble, 2012). Research has shown that children experiencing trauma, particularly in the past year, may develop problems withmental and behavioral health (Cohen, Mannarino