A newly developed Dutch-language questionnaire was designed to assess trauma-related attributional styles across four theoretically derived dimensions: locus of causality, controllability, stability, and globality. This study evaluates the psychometric properties of the instrument in both a non-clinical student sample and a clinical sample receiving inpatient or outpatient treatment for trauma-related disorders. Analyses will include internal consistency, factor structure, item performance, and construct validity through associations with PTSD symptoms and trauma-related cognitions.
This study investigates the psychometric properties of a newly developed Dutch attribution questionnaire specifically designed to assess trauma-related attributional styles. The instrument includes 32 dichotomously scored items divided across general and personal attributional perspectives, each covering four attribution dimensions: locus of causality, controllability, stability, and globality. Two samples were included: (1) a non-clinical sample of first-year psychology students from Radboud University (N = 418 in Part I; N = 382 in Part II), and (2) a clinical sample of individuals receiving inpatient or outpatient mental healthcare for trauma-related conditions at the Psychotraumacentrum Zuid-Nederland (PTC ZN; N = 112). All participants provided informed consent, and the study was approved by the relevant institutional ethics committee. Participants completed the new questionnaire along with established measures of PTSD symptoms (PCL-5), trauma-related cognitions (PTCI), and general locus of control (IE-18; non-clinical sample only). Data were collected via secure online platforms. Analyses will include descriptive statistics, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, item response theory modelling, and correlation analyses to assess construct, convergent, and divergent validity. Group comparisons (clinical vs. non-clinical) and within-subject contrasts between general and personal attribution perspectives will be conducted using t-tests, MANOVAs, repeated measures ANOVAs, and regression models. Moderation and mediation analyses will examine the role of perspective contrast in predicting PTSD severity. The study is guided by the following a priori hypotheses: * The questionnaire will demonstrate a clear and theoretically consistent factor structure reflecting the attribution dimensions of locus of causality, controllability, stability, and globality. * The total scale and subscales will show adequate internal consistency, with Cronbach's α values of at least .70. * Higher levels of maladaptive attributional patterns will be positively associated with PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5) and negative trauma-related cognitions (PTCI). * Personal attribution items will show stronger associations with psychopathology than general attribution items, reflecting the heightened impact of self-referential cognitive biases. * Clinical participants with trauma-related disorders will score higher on maladaptive attribution patterns than non-clinical students, indicating the instrument's sensitivity to trauma-related cognitive profiles.
Reinier van Arkel, Psychotraumacentrum Zuid-Nederland
's-Hertogenbosch, North Brabant, Netherlands
1. Change in Maladaptive Attributional Style (Dutch Attribution Questionnaire for Trauma-Related Attributions)
The Dutch Attribution Questionnaire for Trauma-Related Attributions is a 32-item self-report instrument assessing attributional patterns across four dimensions (locus of causality, controllability, stability, globality) from both general and personal perspectives. Items are scored dichotomously (0 = disagreement; 1 = agreement), yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 32. Higher scores indicate stronger maladaptive attributional patterns. Change from baseline to the specified follow-up point will be calculated.
Time frame: Baseline
2. Change in PTSD Symptom Severity (PCL-5)
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a 20-item self-report measure assessing PTSD symptom severity over the past month. Total scores range from 0 to 80, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms. Change from baseline to follow-up will be calculated.
Time frame: Baseline
3. Change in Trauma-Related Cognitions (PTCI)
The Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI) assesses negative trauma-related cognitions about the self, the world, and self-blame. Total scores range from 33 to 231, with higher scores indicating more negative cognitions. Change from baseline to follow-up will be calculated.
Time frame: Baseline
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Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
530