Assessment of Psychological Trauma and Traumatic Stress Disorders

There are many ways to gather information and make a clinical or research determination that psychological trauma and postrraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have (or have not) occurred. This is understandable in light of the complexity of traumatic stressors, the risk and protective factors that influence the likelihood of developing traumatic stress disorders and the several types of traumatic stress disorders in addition to PTSD (and comorbid disorders and problems). This chapter describes and provides samples of scientifically validated measures for the clinical and research assessment of psychological trauma and PTSD. Following a brief overview of the scientific and clinical criteria that are used to ensure that psychological trauma and PTSD assessment is as safe and effective as possible, four purposes for PTSD assessment are discussed, including assessing: (a) past exposure to psychological trauma; (b) PTSD symptoms and diagnosis, (c) related (comorbid) psychosocial and physical health problems; and (d) screening to identify people with undetected and untreated PTSD.