Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Volume 180, Issue 2, 1992, Pages 111-116

The harvard trauma questionnaire: Validating a cross-cultural instrument for measuring torture, trauma, and posttraumatic stress disorder in indochinese refugees (Article)

Mollica R.F.* , Caspi-Yavin Y. , Bollini P. , Truong T. , Tor S. , Lavblle J.
  • a Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma, and Indochinese Psychiatry Clinic/St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, United States, department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States, Indochinese Psychiatry Clinic/St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Brighton, MA, 02135, United States
  • b Department of Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, United States
  • c department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • d Indochinese Psychiatry Clinic/St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Brighton, MA, 02135, United States
  • e Indochinese Psychiatry Clinic/St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Brighton, MA, 02135, United States
  • f Indochinese Psychiatry Clinic/St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Brighton, MA, 02135, United States

Abstract

There are no valid and reliable cross-cultural instruments capable of measuring torture, trauma, and trauma-related symptoms associated with the DSM-III-R diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Generating such standardized instruments for patients from non-Westem cultures involves particular methodological challenges. This study describes the development and validation of three Indochinese versions of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ), a simple and reliable screening instrument that is well received by refugee patients and bicultural staff. It identifies for the first time trauma symptoms related to the Indochinese refugee experience that are associated with PTSD criteria. The HTQ’s cultural sensitivity may make it useful for assessing other highly traumatized non-Westem populations. © 1992 by The Williams & Wilkins.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

China refugee human Refugees ethnic group priority journal United States Cross-Cultural Comparison male female Reproducibility of Results Article major clinical study Questionnaires adult mental test posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Trauma Severity Indices Torture
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0026607175&doi=10.1097%2f00005053-199202000-00008&partnerID=40&md5=9a25921b85565e3a9f362ecdd7458088
DOI: 10.1097/00005053-199202000-00008
ISSN: 00223018
Cited by: 956
Original Language: English