Examining the Psychometric Properties of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale Within a Sample of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children in the United States

Abstract

This study examines: (a) rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of unaccompanied immigrant children in the United States, and (b) psychometric properties of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale. Caseworkers subcontracted by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services originally collected data in 2018 from unaccompanied children from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras who received post-release services in nine states (n = 149). The overall rate of PTSD in the sample was 8.1%; differences by country of origin were observed. Results from an exploratory factor analysis indicate a three-factor model is the best fit for the data. Internal reliability for the total CPSS scale was excellent (alpha= .93). Implications for practice and future research are also discussed.

This study examines: (a) rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a sample of unaccompanied immigrant children in the United States, and (b) psychometric properties of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale. Caseworkers subcontracted by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services originally collected data in 2018 from unaccompanied children from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras who received post-release services in nine states (n = 149). The overall rate of PTSD in the sample was 8.1%; differences by country of origin were observed. Results from an exploratory factor analysis indicate a three-factor model is the best fit for the data. Internal reliability for the total CPSS scale was excellent (alpha= .93). Implications for practice and future research are also discussed.