Screening Tool

Child Trauma Screening

Many children in the state of Ohio experience trauma exposure, adversity, and victimization, which can lead to a variety of challenges related to their mental health, their relationships, their education, and their overall well-being. With adequate support and resources, kids and youth who’ve experienced trauma can and do heal. Unfortunately, many kids who are suffering from traumatic stress are not identified and do not receive the support they need to recover. Screening is a way to identify children that are experiencing high levels of trauma-related distress and may need additional support to overcome trauma exposure. Screening also helps to facilitate discussions with youth and caregivers about trauma, to provide factual information about traumatic stress, and to determine whether an in-depth assessment is needed.

The Pictorial Victimization Screening Tool (PVST) 

The PVST is a screening tool that can be used by a range of child-serving system professionals. The PVST is a pictorial self-report measure that prioritizes children’s insight into their own experiences through carefully developed items attending to the developmental capacity of traumatized children under 12. This single measure screens for exposure to traumatic events and traumatic reactions/symptoms while accounting for a child’s relational context. The PVST is currently in development and under revision.

The PVST is: 

  • Brief (15 items)

  • Computer-based

  • Available for children 5-12

  • Free to use

  • Intended for use by any child-serving system professionals

  • Currently being pilot-tested in different child-serving systems

The PVST is NOT a clinical assessment and does not provide data needed for diagnosis. Those using the PVST should be aware of mandated reporting requirements of their professional role.

Administration

  • Number of items: 15

  • Reporter type: Self

  • Response format: Yes/No and scaled response

  • Materials needed: internet enabled device or pencil/paper

  • Information provided by screening: presence of traumatic exposure or reaction as indicated by one or more “yes” answers

Sample Items

Experiences of Victimization/Trauma:

“Have you been picked on or hurt by a bully school, or have you seen other kids hurt by bullies?”

Relational health:

“Are there people who help you: at school, at home, in the neighborhood”

Reactions Related to Trauma:

“I get very upset and have meltdowns when something I like is taken away or someone tells me I can't do something I want to do.”

For more information, contact:

Dr. Jennifer King
jak292@case.edu