Child Stress Disorders Checklist ( CSDC )
Overview
Acronym:
CSDC Author Contact:
Dr. Glenn Saxe, Chairman
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Boston University School of Medicine
Dowling 1 North, One Boston Medical Center Place
Boston, MA 02118
Citation:
Saxe, G.N. (2001). Child Stress Disorders Checklist (CSDC) (v. 4.0-11/01). National Child Traumatic Stress Network and Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine.
Saxe, G., Chawla, N., Stoddard, F., Kassam-Adams, N., Courtney, D., Cunningham, K., Lopez, C., Sheridan, R., King, D., & Kind, L. (2003). Child stress disorders checklist: A measure of ASD and PTSD in children. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 42(8), 972-978.
To Obtain:
The measure is available on the website listed below and through the first author:
Dr. Glenn Saxe, Chairman
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Boston University School of Medicine
Dowling 1 North, One Boston Medical Center Place
Boston, MA 02118
Email:
glenn.saxe@bmc.org
Cost:
$0.00
Copyright:
Yes Description:
The Child Stress Disorders Checklist (CSDC) is an observer-report measure designed for use as a screening instrument for traumatic stress symptoms in children. It measures symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD).
The CDSC assesses for the trauma and DSM-IV A2 criteria for PTSD and ASD. It yields a total score as well as scores for Reexperiencing, Increased Arousal, Avoidance, Numbing and Dissociation, and Impairment in Functioning.
The measure can be completed by multiple types of observers who may have contact with a child including caregivers, nurses, teachers, and social service workers.
Theoretical Orientation Summary:
DSM-IV PTSD and Acute Stress Disorder symptomatology
Domains Assessed:
Acute Stress Disorder (child)
Dissociation (child)
Posttraumatic stress symptoms (child)
Trauma history (child)
Languages:
English (USA)
Age Range:
2-18 Years
Measure Type:
Screening
Number of Items:
36 Measure Format:
Questionnaire
Time to Complete:
10
Reporter:
Other
Score Time:
5
Education Level:
6
Periodicity:
1 month (scale instructions are now or within the past month) Response Format:
0=not true, 1=somewhat or sometimes true, 2=very true or often true
Materials Needed:
Paper and pencil
Materials Notes:
Age range and education needed to complete the measure were determined through consultation with the authors and by examining the characteristics of those who participated in the psychometric studies.
Information Provided:
Areas of concern/risks
Continuous assessment
Raw Scores
Training
Training to Administrator:
Not Available
Training to Interpret:
Not Available
Training Notes:
The authors report that the measure is not difficult to administer. Bachelor-level assistants can be trained to administer the measure. It was designed to be completed by parents, nurses, teachers, and social service workers.
Psychometrics
Norms:
None
Pros & Cons
Pros:
1. The measure is unique in assessing both Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptomatology using the observer report.
2. The measure is based on DSM-IV criteria for Acute Stress Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
3. Additional benefits include assessment of exposure and reaction to the traumatic event, impairment in functioning, and symptoms of dissociation, in addition to PTSD symptomatology.
4. The measure is free and easily available.
Cons:
1. Psychometrics have been examined only by the first author.
2. The measure has yet to be examined in terms of ability to detect change due to treatment and relationship to diagnostic classifications (sensitivity and specificity).
3. Although the measure is designed for children aged 2-18 and was used with this age range in the psychometric study, examination of the actual items suggests that it may not be an appropriate screen for younger children, given that a number of items would not apply to them.
4. The wording on some of the items is somewhat technical, most likely because items were derived from the DSM-IV.
THIS IS NOT A CON, JUST INFORMATION: For many of the items, the wording refers to "the event," suggesting that the measure was not designed for a chronic or multiply traumatized population. It was designed to screen for ASD and PTSD symptoms following an event.
Author Comments
Author Comments:
The author provided comments, which were integrated.
Citation for Review:
Trauma Center Staff
Editor of Review:
Chandra Ghosh Ippen, Ph.D.
Last Updated:
Tue, 08/30/2005
PDF Available:
Yes
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