Development of a multi-dimensional scale to measure trauma associated with child sexual abuse (MSCSA) and its ramifying impacts on children: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: With the rising incidence of CSA in India and absence of culturally competent tool to assess the impact of trauma, there is a dire need for development of a comprehensive scale to assess the impact of trauma on children. Thus, the present study aims to develop a multi-dimensional CSA tool for children aged between 7 and 13 years.

METHOD: Qualitative research method of FGD/Key Interviews with 4 group participants (Parents, counsellors, mental health and medical professionals) and in-depth interview with children having history of CSA was conducted along with item pooling from existing scales. Scale domain and sub-constructs were identified through thematic analysis of the qualitative data and statements extracted through item pooling. Face and content validity was obtained followed by the administration of the scale on pilot sample of 30 children meeting selection criteria of the study.

RESULTS: 6 domains of the multi-dimensional impact of trauma was identified (i.e. Behavioral, Emotional, Cognition, Biological, Psychopathology and Social Functioning) which was constructed in the form of 85 scale statements across 6 domains and 48 sub-constructs on a 3-point Likert scale of response in both Hindi as well as English language. The scale was found to be having high reliability and average inter-item and inter-domain correlation. Modification of scale items based on pilot study findings and expert feedback analysis done to obtain a final scale containing 78 items.

DISCUSSION: Discussion done primarily in terms of scale's psychometric properties, its clinical & research implications, especially focusing on cultural competency of the scale.