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

The registry criteria, word for word

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

• Are you between 7 and 18 years old?YesNo

What the trial wants to find out

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.

The 2 groups in the trial

• Clinical population

  The minimum sample size per Switzerland and Germany, respectively, will be n≥100 per cohort (n≥100 trauma-exposed children and adolescents aged 7-18, n≥100 caregivers of trauma-exposed children and adolescents aged 7-18; n≥100 caregivers of trauma-exposed children aged 3-6 years) to enable separate psychometric analyses for each country on a sufficient empirical basis. This corresponds, for each national sample (Switzerland and Germany), to a minimum of 100 trauma-exposed children and adolescents and a total of at least 200 caregivers. The maximum intended sample size is double these numbers. Consecutive data collection will continue at the participating study centers for 13 months (December 2025 - October 2026). As far as possible, every patient and/or caregiver who visits the participating clinical institutions or medical settings for the first time (inpatient or outpatient) will be invited to participate in the study.

• Non-clinical population

  Only in Switzerland, a non-clinical sample will be recruited. The minimum sample size will be n≥100 trauma-exposed children and adolescents, and caregivers of trauma-exposed children and adolescents, per school type (Kindergarten \[only caregivers\], Primarschule \[3rd grade or higher\], Sekundarstufe \[students and caregivers\], Gymnasium \[students until 18 and their caregivers\], and Berufsschule \[until 18 years\]). Based on epidemiological data indicating that approximately 55% of Swiss adolescents report at least one potentially traumatic event, we plan to recruit a total minimum sample size of 200 children and adolescents and 200 caregivers in primary and secondary schools. An equally sized sample of 200 adolescents and 200 caregivers will be recruited in grammar schools (Gymnasium). In Berufsschulen, we aim to include 200 adolescents, while caregivers will not participate. For kindergartens, the recruitment target is 200 caregivers.