Journal Article

Translation and validation of the Dari International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) in Afghan asylum seekers and refugees

Andisha, Pouya, Lueger-Schuster, Brigitte, Shahab, Mohammad Jawad

2023

Overview

Background: The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) is a standardized and validated measure aligned with the 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) diagnostic criteria to assess post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). It has been translated into 25 different languages, but is yet to be translated into Dari and validated for use in the Afghan population. Objective: This study aimed (1) to translate and culturally adapt the ITQ for use in Dari; (2) to assess the construct validity and composite reliability of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD using the Dari ITQ; and (3) to examine the concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity of the Dari ITQ. Method: The Dari ITQ was validated through the completion of a set of standardized measures by 305 Afghan asylum seekers and refugees in Austria. Factorial analyses and psychometric properties of the Dari ITQ were assessed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), bivariate correlations, and multivariate regression. Results: Asylum seekers showed significantly higher levels of ICD-11 CPTSD symptomatology and probable diagnoses of ICD-11 PTSD, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) PTSD, anxiety, depression, and psychological distress in comparison to refugees. CFA results supported the two-factor second-order model comprised of the PTSD and disturbances in self-organization (DSO) as the best fit to the data. The psychometric adequacy of this model in the Dari ITQ was evidenced by high factor loadings and excellent internal reliability. The Dari ITQ showed satisfactory concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity. Conclusion: The current study supports the statistical validity and cultural sensitivity of the Dari ITQ in identifying symptoms of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD among Afghan asylum seekers and refugees. This study provides the first translation and validation of the ITQ in Dari with an Afghan refugee population in Austria. The two-factor second-order model was supported as the best fit to the data. Additional support for the composite reliability, and concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity was provided, suggesting the statistical validity and cultural sensitivity of the Dari ITQ in identifying symptoms of ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD among Afghan asylum seekers and refugees.

• Publisher: Taylor & Francis,Taylor & Francis Ltd,Taylor & Francis Group
• Subject: afganos / Afghan / Anxiety / asylum seekers / Basic / CIE-11 / complex PTSD (CPTSD) / Cuestionario Internacional de Trauma (ITQ) / Humans / ICD-11 / International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) / Post traumatic stress disorder / Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) / Quantitative psychology / Questionnaires / refugees / Refugees - psychology / refugiados / Reproducibility of Results / solicitantes de asilo / Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology / Surveys and Questionnaires / TEPT complejo / Trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) / Validity / 创伤后应激障碍（PTSD） / 国际创伤问卷（ITQ） / 复杂性 PTSD / 寻求庇护者 / 阿富汗 / 难民