CURRENT VERSION:
Release Version 1.0
ABOUT
International
Trauma
Interview
1
Aims
The International Trauma Interview (ITI) is a semi structured clinician administered interview which aims to assess posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD), as defined in the 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Structured clinician administered diagnostic assessments are generally seen as the gold standard for assessing trauma related disorders.
2
Development
The ITI was developed and refined through collaboration between a number of international research groups in the UK, USA, Ireland, Sweden, Lithuania, Chile, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. A version for release was finalised in September 2022.
3
Structure and administration
The ITI normally takes between 40-60 minutes to complete. It is designed to be completed following the administration of a checklist evaluating history of trauma exposure, such as the International Trauma Exposure Measure (ITEM) or the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5.
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Section 1 includes six items inquiring about PTSD symptoms, with two items for each of the three symptom clusters: re-experiencing (nightmares and intrusive memories/flashbacks), internal and external avoidance, and heightened perception of current threat (hypervigilance and heightened startle). An additional test item is included to assess for diminished startle responses. Items are scored for symptom severity using five rating options, ranging from 0 = “absent” to 4 = “extreme/incapacitating”, with severity being determined by the frequency and intensity of the problem.
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In Section 2, a further six items inquire about disturbance in self-organisation (DSO) symptoms, with two items for each of the three DSO clusters: affect dysregulation (one item each for hyperactivation and deactivation), negative self-concept (feeling a failure, feelings of worthlessness) and disturbed relationships (feeling distant or cut off from others, difficulty being emotionally close to others). DSO items are also scored on a five-point Likert scale from 0 = “not at all” to 4 = “extremely”. Items are scored on the basis of a persistent and pervasive problem, with scoring guidance directing the interviewer to consider the extent of the problem and the frequency with which it occurs, in making their judgement.
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Two additional items at the end of each section evaluate whether PTSD and DSO symptoms cause impairment in social or occupational functioning.