Development of the PTSD-iMPACT to Measure PTSD-Related Functional Impairment in Children and Adolescents - A Validation Study in Switzerland and Germany

Population-based and clinical studies indicate that a substantial proportion of children and adolescents are exposed to one or more potentially traumatic events (PTEs) Approximately 16 % of those affected by childhood trauma go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with an even higher proportion experiencing subclinical levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). In Switzerland, over half of adolescents report exposure to at least one PTE, with 4.2 % meeting diagnostic criteria for PTSD. PTSD frequently impacts young people's social and educational functioning, often impairing their ability to engage in everyday life activities that are important or meaningful to them. Although the psychological consequences of PTSD are well documented, there is limited empirical understanding of how PTSS specifically affects day-to-day functioning in young people. A key reason for this gap is the absence of a validated instrument specifically designed to assess PTSD-related functional impairment in children and adolescents. To address this need, the PTSD-iMPairment in Adolescent \& Children's Capacity for Thriving (PTSD-iMPACT) measure was developed. This tool aims to systematically assess the extent of PTSD-related functional impairment in children and adolescents across key life domains, such as family, friends, school, apprenticeship, hobbies or media use. The overall aim of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PTSD-iMPACT questionnaire in a clinical and in a non-clinical sample and to provide an internationally applicable standard instrument for the assessment of PTSD-related functional impairment in trauma-exposed children and adolescents. In the long term, the aim is to ensure that the care and support provided to children and adolescents who experience difficulties in their daily lives due to post-traumatic stress symptoms are sustainably monitored and improved.