| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Acronyms | ACTSQ |
| Test Type | Original |
| Instrument Type | Inventory/Questionnaire |
| Construct | Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; Complex Trauma |
| Purpose | The purpose of this measure is to provide a culturally appropriate tool to assess complex trauma and strengths in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents. |
| Description | The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire (ACTSQ; Gee et al., 2024) is a 44-item tool designed to assess complex post-traumatic stress disorder (complex trauma) and strengths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents. Initially developed with 88 items (28 strengths and 60 distress items) through a comprehensive multistage process, the ACTSQ underwent revisions based on qualitative and quantitative feedback. The development process included scoping reviews, group discussions with Elders and parents, expert consultations, and validation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents in Australia. The final 44-item questionnaire was determined following exploratory factor analysis, participant feedback, and item refinement. Results on reliability, validity, and factor structure were reported. |
| Author | Gee, Graham; Bright, Tess; Morgan, Amy; Atkinson, Carlie; Andrews, Shawana; Clark, Yvonne; Glover, Karen; Hirvonen, Tanja; Davis, Elise; Jones, Kimberley A.; Reilly, Rachel; Mensah, Fiona; Hudson-Buhagiar, Madelyne; Bennetts, Shannon K.; Herrman, Helen; Milroy, Helen; Mackinnon, Andrew; Chamberlain, Catherine |
| Affiliation | Intergenerational Health Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; Indigenous Health Equity Unit, Onemda; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI); Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention, University of Western Australia |
| [email protected] (Catherine Chamberlain) | |
| Test Year | 2024 |
| Format | Items are rated on a five-point Likert scale. |
| Administration Method | Interview |
| Test Items Available | Yes |
| Number of Items | 44 |
| Factors and Subscales | Factors include Complex post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, Grief, loss and disconnection, Supports and relationships, Sense of self and strengths, and Cultural connections and resources. |
| Reliability | Internal consistency was high (McDonald’s Omega > 0.75 for all factors). Inter-Rater Reliability showed fair to good results (ICC 0.5–0.7), though Factors 4 and 5 demonstrated lower correlations. |
| Validity | Convergent validity: Positive correlations between Factors 1 and 2 and the ICD-11 Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) PTSD/CPTSD subscales; negative correlations for Factors 3 and 4. Factor 5 showed no correlation with ITQ subscales. Discriminant validity was also demonstrated. |
| Factor Analysis | Exploratory factor analysis supported a five-factor solution based on parallel analysis and scree plots. The final model retained 44 items with factor loadings > 0.3 and minimal cross-loadings. The variance explained by factors ranged from 9.6% to 28%. |
| Test Methodology | Test validity, convergent and discriminant validity, internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and exploratory factor analysis. |
| Population Details | Respondents: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander parents in Australia. Age range: 18–72 years. |
| Keywords | Colonisation, Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms, Complex Trauma Symptoms, Cultural Connections, Grief and Loss, Parenting, Sense of Self, Supports and Relationships, Indigenous People, Culturally Appropriate Tool |
| Files | No file is available for download. |
| Reference | Gee, G., Bright, T., Morgan, A., Atkinson, C., Andrews, S., Clark, Y., Glover, K., Hirvonen, T., Davis, E., Jones, K. A., Reilly, R., Mensah, F., Hudson-Buhagiar, M., Bennetts, S. K., Herrman, H., Milroy, H., Mackinnon, A., & Chamberlain, C. (2024). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire: Psychometric evaluation. Australian Journal of Psychology, 76(1), Article 2335917. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049530.2024.2335917 |
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire (ACTSQ)
Introduction
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire (ACTSQ) is a tool designed to assess symptoms of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) alongside strengths and protective factors relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The questionnaire covers areas of complex trauma symptoms, grief and loss, supports and relationships, sense of self, cultural connections, and resources.
I. Scale Components and Items
The ACTSQ is comprised of the following sections:
A. Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
This section assesses symptoms associated with CPTSD.
Felt as if you are reliving bad or hurtful things that have happened
Had a memory come back that was so strong you lost yourself in that moment
Had flashbacks of bad or hurtful things that have happened without meaning to
Had the same bad dreams or nightmares over and over again
Tried to avoid people, places or situations that remind you of bad or hurtful things that have happened
Felt on guard or “on alert”
Felt angry really easily for no reason
Felt edgy, jumpy, frightened or nervous
Felt like there is something wrong with you
Felt shame from things that have happened to me
Felt guilty for no reason
Felt you are no good
Felt strong emotions and had trouble managing them
Felt numb or found it hard to feel
Felt your feelings can be hurt very easily
Felt cut off or distant from what’s going on around you
B. Grief, Loss, and Disconnection
This section assesses feelings of grief, loss, and disconnection related to culture, country, and spirituality.
I am able to spend time on “country” or a special place that I have a connection with
Felt like your connection to spirit or spirituality is weak
Felt grief and loss because of losing cultural knowledge and practices
Felt grief and loss of connection to country
Felt like your spirit or spirituality has become weak because of bad or hurtful things that have happened
Felt disconnected to your ancestors because of bad or hurtful things that have happened
C. Supports and Relationships
This section examines the availability of supportive relationships and role models.
I have role models in my life that I can learn about parenting
I have people who listen to me and believe in me
I feel supported by my friends/mob
I have family that love me even when I muck up
I have family/mob who can help me with my child
I have people in my life that I have close relationships with
Found it hard to have close, trusting relationships with people
Felt really alone, even when you are with others
Felt disconnected from people close to you, even when you know they care for you
D. Sense of Self and Strengths
This section assesses positive self-perceptions, strengths, and self-efficacy.
I feel like I have a say or can make choices in my life
I feel it’s ok to be a “good enough” parent, and don’t have to be “perfect”
I can trust myself to make good choices
I feel ok with myself as I am
I have done things that I am proud of
I can manage my emotions well, even in difficult situations
I am able to have a laugh even when things are difficult
E. Cultural Connections and Resources
This section assesses the strength of cultural connections, cultural practices and resources to deal with racism.
I feel like I belong in my community
I participate in cultural practices that give me peace (such as going out bush, ceremony, community cultural events)
Spirituality is a source of strength for me
I have strategies to deal with racism if it happens
I am able to maintain my Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity, values and beliefs
Not felt connected to your community
II. Response Scale
Items are rated on a five-point Likert scale (0-4) with the following response categories:
0 = Not at all
1 = A little bit
2 = Somewhat
3 = A fair bit
4 = A lot
Cite this article
Mohammed looti (2026). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire (ACTSQ). PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Retrieved from https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-complex-trauma-and-strengths-questionnaire-actsq/
Mohammed looti. "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire (ACTSQ)." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 4 Apr. 2026, https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-complex-trauma-and-strengths-questionnaire-actsq/.
Mohammed looti. "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire (ACTSQ)." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 2026. https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-complex-trauma-and-strengths-questionnaire-actsq/.
Mohammed looti (2026) 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire (ACTSQ)', PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Available at: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/s/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-complex-trauma-and-strengths-questionnaire-actsq/.
[1] Mohammed looti, "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire (ACTSQ)," PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, vol. X, no. Y, ص Z-Z, April, 2026.
Mohammed looti. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Complex Trauma and Strengths Questionnaire (ACTSQ). PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. 2026;vol(issue):pages.