Idaho State University Institute of Rural Health
National Child Traumatic Stress Network Rural Archive (coming soon!)
NOTE: Below is sample information, on several scales from the research group at the Traumatic Stress Institute in South Windsor, CT, USA. The information is drawn from Measurement of Stress, Trauma & Adaptation (Stamm, 1996, Sidran Press). If you would like more information about any TSI scales, contact The Traumatic Stress Institute, 22 Morgan Farms Drive, South Windsor, CT 06074, 203.644.2541. tsicaap@aol.com
TSI Belief Scale
What it Measures:
What it Measures: The TSI Belief Scale is intended to measure disruptions in
beliefs about self and others which arise from psychological trauma or from vicarious
exposure to trauma material through psychotherapy or other helping relationships. The
scale is intended to provide a quick (15 minute) screening instrument for clinicians
questioning the possibility of a trauma history in their clients, as well as indicating
specific psychological need areas requiring attention in the psychotherapy process (McCann
& Pearlman, 1990a). It is also intended, in conjunction with other measures, to
diagnose the existence of vicarious trauma (McCann & Pearlman, 1990b; Pearlman &
Saakvitue, in press) in helpers. TSI Belief Scale Sample Items Self-Safety: the need to feel one is reasonably invulnerable to harm inflicted by self
or others.
1. I generally feel safe from danger. 4. I find myself worrying a lot about myself. 15. I believe I can protect myself if my thoughts become self-destructive. Other Safety: the need to feel that valued others are reasonably protected from harm
inflicted--by oneself or others.
9. I'm reasonably comfortable about the safety of those I care about. 19. Sometimes I think I'm more concerned about the safety of others than they are. 40. I worry a lot about the safety of loved ones. Self-Trust: The belief that one can trust one's judgments
44. I feel uncertain about my ability to make decisions. 70. I have sound judgment. 74. I feel confident in my decision-making ability. Other Trust: the belief that one can rely upon others.
47. I can depend on my friends to be there when I need them. 64. Most people don't keep the promises they make. 66. Trusting other people is generally not very smart. Self-esteem: The belief that one is valuable and worthy of respect.
27. I deserve to have good things happen to me. 32. I am basically a good person. 34. Bad things happen to me because I'm bad. Other-esteem: the belief that others are valuable and worthy of respect.
31. This world is filled with emotionally disturbed peole. 50. Most people are basically good at heart. 56. I don't have a lot of respect for the people closest to me. Self-intimacy: the belief that time spent alone is enjoyable.
35. Some of my happiest experiences involve other people. 36. There are many people to whom I feel close and connected. 39. I often feel cut off and distant from other people. Self-control: the need to be in charge of one's own feelings and behaviors.
65. Strong people don't need to ask for others' help. 68. I feel bad about myself when I need others' help. 80. When someone suggests I relax, I feel anxious. Other-control: The need to manage interpersonal situations.
24. I don't have much control in relationships. 25. I am often involved in conflicts with other people. 55. I often feel helpless in my relationships with others. References: Mas, K., & Pearlman, L.A. (manuscript in preparation ). Disrupted schemata in adult
survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Pearlman, L.A., & Mac Ian, P.S. (manuscript in preparation). The TSI Belief Scale:
Data from five criterion groups Pearlman, L.A., Mac Ian, P., Mas , K., Stamm, B.H., & Bieber, S. (October 1992).
Understanding disrupted schemas: The relation among theory, psychotherapy, and research.
Presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.
Los Angeles, CA. Stamm, B.H., Bieber, S.L., & Pearlman, L.A. (October 1991). A preliminary report on
scale construction and generalizability of the TSI Belief Scale. Paper presented at the
annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Washington, DC. McCann, I.L., & Pearlman, L.C.. (1990b). Vicarious traumatization: A framework for
understanding the psychological impact of working with victims. Journal of Traumatic
Stress, 3, 131-150. McCann, I.L., & Pearlman, L.A. (1990a). Psychological trauma and the adult
survivor: Theory, therapy, and transformation. New York: Brunner/Mazel. McCann, I.L., Sakheim, D.K., & Abrahamson, D.J. (1988). Trauma and victimization: A
model of psychological adaptation. The Counseling Psychologist, 16, (4),
531-594. Pearlman, L. A., & Saakvitue, L. W. (in press). Trauma and the therapist:
Countertransference and vicarious traumatization in psychotherapy with incest survivors.
New York: W.W. Norton. TSI Autonomy and Connection Scales The complete TSI Belief Scale, from which the TSI Autonomy and Connection Scales (TSI A
& T) are drawn, is intended to measure disruptions in beliefs about self and others
which arise from psychological trauma or from vicarious exposure to trauma material
through psychotherapy or other helping relationships. The A & T scales pertain to the
Experience of Autonomy of Connection References: Pearlman, L.A., & Mac Ian, P.S. (manuscript in preparation). The TSI Belief Scale:
Data from four criterion groups Pearlman, L.A., Mac Ian, P., Mas , K., Stamm, B.H., Bieber, S. (October, 1992).
Understanding disrupted schemas: The relation among theory, psychotherapy, and research.
Presented at the Eighth Annual Meeting of The International Society for Traumatic Stress
Studies. Los Angeles, CA Sandberg, C.T., & Stamm, B.H. (1992). Adult Schema disruption and early destructive
parenting. Presented at the Eighth Annual Meeting of The International Society for
Traumatic Stress Studies. Los Angeles, CA. Stamm, B.H., Bieber, S.L., & Pearlman, L.A. (October, 1991). A preliminary report
on scale construction and generalizability of the TSI Belief Scale. Paper presented at the
annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Washington, DC. Varra, E.M., & Stamm, B.H. (1992). Vicarious traumatization: Emotional support
providers of sexual and physical assault victims. Presented at the Eighth Annual Meeting
of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Los Angeles, CA. McCann, I.L., & Pearlman, L.A. (1990b). Psychological trauma and the adult
survivor: Theory, therapy, and transformation. New York: Brunner/Mazel. McCann, I.L., Sakheim, D.K., & Abrahamson, D.J. (1988). Trauma and victimization: A
model of psychological adaptation. The Counseling Psychologist, 16 (4),
531-594. TSI Life Event Questionnaire (LEQ) Long form--Revision 1; Short form--Revision 3) And TSI Life Event Questionnaire (Short Form) What it Measures: The LEQ short form provides a way of identifying individuals with
childhood sexual, non-sexual, and adult trauma histories. The long form provides extensive
information about the subjects’ trauma history, including age at the time of abuse,
allowing for the exploration of developmental issues. The LEQ short form is intended as a
screening instrument to alert the therapist to the existence of specific traumatic life
events in the client's history. The long form provides a detailed review of the
clients’ lifetime trauma history, informing the therapist of events which otherwise
may not be revealed in the course of therapy and allowing the client to review his/her
entire trauma history at once. Both forms also provide an opportunity for the client to
indicate level of distress related to the incidents at the time they occurred and now.
This page was last updated on 11/19/01 01:48
© B. Hudnall Stamm, 1997-1999