Design and psychometric analysis of the psychosocial trauma assessment instrument

Abstract

Introduction: An instrument for evaluating psychosocial trauma in victims of forced displacement associated with the armed conflict in Colombia was designed and validated, na-med TPS-6. Method: The study was instrumental, the test plan, the items and the assessment scale were evaluated by seven experts, with whom the content validity was performed. The instrument was applied to 200 people, victims and non-victims. The adjustment of the items was analyzed with the Rasch model of the item response theory. To obtain the evidence of construct validity, the exploratory factor analysis was performed. The convergent validity was verified through the correlational analysis with the Diagnostic Scale of Post-traumatic Stress and the Scales of Positive and Negative Affect (PANAS). The reliability of the instrument was found through Cronbach’s alpha and omega coefficients. Results: Taking into account the psychometric analyzes carried out, the test was left with 26 items that make up six factors and, the test meets the psychometric requirements to evaluate psychosocial trauma. Conclusions: This instrument is a contribution for the forensic evaluation of psychosocial damage.