8 - Psychometric Analysis of the Structured Trauma Related Events and Symptoms Screener Among Two Populations

Abstract Information: As psychological program evaluations expand to encompass a broader range of cultural populations, it becomes crucial to assess analytical tools for potential item bias and measurement invariance. The use of tools developed and validated within one population, when applied to another, risks misrepresenting or silencing the latter group's experiences. This issue is particularly pertinent in the context of PTSD screening tools, which often fail to capture the nuanced symptom expressions across different cultures, struggle to differentiate PTSD from other mental health disorders, and overlook the full spectrum of PTSD symptoms. Among such tools, the Structured Trauma Related Events and Symptoms Screener (STRESS) demands rigorous psychometric analysis to affirm its cross-cultural validity and reliability.
This poster presentation contrasts the STRESS tool's psychometric properties when applied to two distinct populations: the US-born youth for whom it was originally validated, and immigrant and refugee youth participating in a trauma-centered program. Employing Classical Test Theory and Item-Response Theory, we illuminate the stark psychometric differences observed between these groups, highlighting the potential consequences for programs relying on the STRESS for PTSD assessment.