Internal consistency and test-retest reliability: A reliability generalization meta-analysis of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire – Short Form (CTQ-SF)

The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire- Short Form (CTQ-SF) is among the most extensively studied and widely utilized instruments for evaluating childhood maltreatment. The purpose of this study was to conduct a reliability generalization meta-analysis to estimate the average reliability of the CTQ-SF scores and its factors and search for study characteristics that can explain the variability in those coefficients. A total of 39 independent samples provided 243 reliability estimates (Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, and/or test-retest reliability coefficients) with the data at hand for the scores on the CTQ-SF and its five subscales for this meta-analysis. Random and mixed-effects models were employed for analyzing the data. The average Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the CTQ-SF total score was 0.891 (95 % CI: 0.868, 0.910). For the subscales, the average Cronbach's alpha coefficient ranged from 0.656 (Physical Neglect) to 0.916 (Sexual Abuse). The average McDonald's Omega coefficient for the CTQ-SF total score was 0.800 (95 % CI: 0.800 0.800). For the subscales, the average McDonald's Omega ranged from 0.740 (Physical Neglect) to 0.900 (Sexual Abuse). The average test–retest reliability for CTQ-SF total score was 0.788 (95 % CI: 0.635, 0.872), with the subscales ranging from 0.668 (Physical Neglect) to 0.709 (Physical Abuse). Moderator analyses revealed that some factors can affect reliability estimate. Although CTQ-SF and its five subscales have shown adequate reliability, it may vary as a function of the variability of scores, geographical location, financial source, and the affiliation of the main researcher. •The CTQ-SF exhibits strong reliability overall.•Reliability levels vary across different dimensions of the CTQ-SF.•Test-retest correlations suggest that the CTQ-SF scores are stable over time.•These findings emphasize the importance of assessing the reliability of CTQ-SF within a specific study contexts.