Development and Validation of the Hidden Trauma Revelation Scale (HTRS): A Psychodynamic Tool for Uncovering Unresolved Trauma

Abstract

Background:
Trauma, particularly unconscious trauma, is noted to play a significant role in shaping an individual’s emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Traditional trauma assessment tools have primarily focused on overt symptoms. There is, however, a need for psychodynamically informed instruments that can uncover unconscious trauma manifestations. The Hidden Trauma Revelation Scale (HTRS) aims to address this gap by measuring subtle, unconscious trauma indicators through multiple domains, including emotional dysregulation, repressed memories, and somatic symptoms.

Methods:
This study involved the validation of the HTRS using a sample of 300 adults from Ghana, who have varying levels of trauma exposure. Participants completed the HTRS. The scale consists of ten domains which assess different aspects of unconscious trauma. The scale’s psychometric properties were evaluated through pilot testing, reliability analysis (including internal consistency and test-retest reliability), and factor analysis. Convergent validity was assessed by correlating the HTRS with established trauma scales, including the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC).

Results:
The HTRS demonstrated high internal consistency, revealing Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.75 to 0.85 for individual domains and an overall alpha of 0.91. Factor analysis revealed that the ten domains formed distinct factors that explained 74.5% of the total variance. The scale showed significant positive correlations with the CAPS (r = 0.72) and TSC (r = 0.68), indicating strong convergent validity. The total trauma insight scores revealed that 38% of participants exhibited moderate trauma levels, while 28% showed strong trauma-related symptoms.

Conclusion:
The HTRS is a reliable and valid tool for uncovering unconscious trauma, with strong psychometric properties that support its use in both clinical and research settings. The scale’s ability to assess unconscious trauma through a psychodynamic lens offers a significant contribution to trauma research and therapeutic practice. Future studies should further validate the tool across diverse populations and integrate additional measures for a more comprehensive trauma assessment.