Psychometric detection of previous trauma exposure among adjudicated youth

This dissertation examines the psychometric accuracy of self-report measures for detecting previous trauma in juvenile offenders and to establish specific trauma-related symptom scales for this population. To accomplish this task, three studies were conducted. Study one examines the predictive accuracy and factor structure of the Child Report of Posttraumatic Symptoms (CROPS). Findings provide moderate support for the CROPS as an accurate measure for detecting previous trauma among adjudicated youth; findings provide preliminary support for a 14-item screener for trauma symptoms for this population. Study two examined the trauma detection accuracy of the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2) clinical scales. Findings provide moderate support for a BASC-2 trauma composite that accurately detects previous trauma exposure among female offenders. Study three examined the trauma detection accuracy of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality InventoryAdolescent (MMPI-A). Findings provide limited support for using MMPI-A profiles and clinical scales in isolation to detect trauma. However, results provide empirical support for the MMPI-A Trauma Scale for Juvenile Offenders (TSJO) as an accurate and reliable measure for this population.