Child and Adolescent Trauma Screening
CATS
General
The CATS questionnaire is a screening instrument for children and adolescents based on the DSM-5 criteria for PTSD. There are 3 different versions of the CATS: (1) CATS self-report (7-17 years), (2) CATS caregiver-report (7-17 years), (3) CATS caregiver-report (3-6 years). Symptoms are to be rated on a 4-point scale according to frequency and severity. Scores are calculated differently for preschoolers and children 7 years and older or adolescents. In the age group 7-17 years, the total symptom score is calculated by summing the raw scores of items 1-20 (possible range = 0-60). To mark a clinically relevant expression of symptoms, the cut-off value ≥ 21 is defined. The total symptom score at age 3-6 years (preschool children) is calculated by summing the items 1-16 (possible range = 0-48). Here, the cut-off value ≥ 16 is recommended as an indication of a clinically relevant level of symptoms.
Operation Area
The CATS is a self-report instrument for screening PTSD in children and adolescents. The focus of the screening is on sensitivity. Accordingly, children and adolescents with positive CATS results should be diagnosed using a semi-structured clinical interview.
The instrument is made available on the following homepage: https://ulmer-onlineklinik.de/course/view.php?id=1701
Literature
Sachser, C., Berliner, L., Holt, T., Jensen, T. K., Jungbluth, N., Risch, E. et al. (2017). International development and psychometric properties of the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS). Journal of Affective Disorders, 210, 189-195.