Psychometric Evaluation of a Dutch Attribution Questionnaire for Trauma-Related Attributions

This study investigates the psychometric properties of a newly developed Dutch attribution questionnaire specifically designed to assess trauma-related attributional styles. The instrument includes 32 dichotomously scored items divided across general and personal attributional perspectives, each covering four attribution dimensions: locus of causality, controllability, stability, and globality.

Two samples were included: (1) a non-clinical sample of first-year psychology students from Radboud University (N = 418 in Part I; N = 382 in Part II), and (2) a clinical sample of individuals receiving inpatient or outpatient mental healthcare for trauma-related conditions at the Psychotraumacentrum Zuid-Nederland (PTC ZN; N = 112). All participants provided informed consent, and the study was approved by the relevant institutional ethics committee.

Participants completed the new questionnaire along with established measures of PTSD symptoms (PCL-5), trauma-related cognitions (PTCI), and general locus of control (IE-18; non-clinical sample only). Data were collected via secure online platforms. Analyses will include descriptive statistics, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, item response theory modelling, and correlation analyses to assess construct, convergent, and divergent validity. Group comparisons (clinical vs. non-clinical) and within-subject contrasts between general and personal attribution perspectives will be conducted using t-tests, MANOVAs, repeated measures ANOVAs, and regression models. Moderation and mediation analyses will examine the role of perspective contrast in predicting PTSD severity.

The study is guided by the following a priori hypotheses:

• The questionnaire will demonstrate a clear and theoretically consistent factor structure reflecting the attribution dimensions of locus of causality, controllability, stability, and globality.
• The total scale and subscales will show adequate internal consistency, with Cronbach's α values of at least .70.
• Higher levels of maladaptive attributional patterns will be positively associated with PTSD symptom severity (PCL-5) and negative trauma-related cognitions (PTCI).
• Personal attribution items will show stronger associations with psychopathology than general attribution items, reflecting the heightened impact of self-referential cognitive biases.
• Clinical participants with trauma-related disorders will score higher on maladaptive attribution patterns than non-clinical students, indicating the instrument's sensitivity to trauma-related cognitive profiles.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 18
• Sufficient proficiency in Dutch
• For clinical sample: history of traumatic exposure and current trauma-related symptoms
• For non-clinical sample: enrollment as first-year psychology student at Radboud University

Exclusion criteria

• Incomplete questionnaire data
• Cognitive impairment preventing informed consent or questionnaire completion