Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC)

Briere, 1996

Description

The TSCC is a 54-item self report scale originally designed for trauma symptoms related to sexual abuse and other traumatic events. It is made up of 2 validity scales (indicating over- and under-reporting of symptoms) and 6 clinical scales (Anxiety, Depression, Posttraumatic Stress, Sexual Concerns, Dissociation, and Anger). The child is presented with a list of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and is asked to mark how often each thing happens to him or her. Items are rated on a 4 point scale (from 0 = "never" to 3 = "almost all the time").

It is written at an 8 year old reading level and has been normed for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 16. It is useful in the evaluation of children who have experienced traumatic events, including physical and sexual assault, victimization by peers, major losses, the witnessing of violence done to others, and natural disasters. The instrument is suitable for individual or group administration.

Sample Item

• Bad dreams or nightmares

Versions

The TSCC is available in two versions: the full 54 item test that includes 10 items tapping sexual symptoms and preoccupation and a 44 item alternate version (TSCC-A) that makes no reference to sexual issues.

References

Briere, J. (1996) Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children: Professional manual. Florida: Psychological Assessment Resources Inc.

Additional Reviews

Ohan, J. L., Myers, K., Collett, B. R. (2002). Ten-year review of rating scales. IV: Scales assessing trauma and its effects. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 41, 1401-22.

Nader, K. O. (2004). Assessing traumatic experiences in children and adolescents: Self-reports of DSM PTSD Criteria B-D symptoms. In J. Wilson & T. Keane (Eds.), Assessing psychological trauma and PTSD, 2nd ed. (pp. 513-537). New York: Guilford Press.

To Obtain Scale

Psychological Assessment Resources
PO Box 998
Odessa, FL 33556
Phone: (800) 331-8378

Available for purchase at http://www3.parinc.com* website.

Measures availability: Information on measures is available to everyone. However, the assessment tools themselves can only be distributed to qualified mental health professionals and researchers. We maintain measures developed by affiliated staff of the National Center for PTSD.