Development of a novel scale to assess OS-PTSD symptoms (Version 1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of a novel scale to assess offence-specific PTSD symptoms.
IRAS ID
365605
Contact name
Hamish McLeod
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Glasgow
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 17 days
Research summary
Most research into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has focused on people who have been victims or witnesses of traumatic events, but recent research suggests that people who commit violent offences may also be traumatised by their actions. This is referred to as offence-specific PTSD (OS-PTSD). At present, we are not aware of any questionnaire (scale) that has been designed specifically to measure OS-PTSD. Developing a scale is important for improving identification of OS-PTSD symptoms and access to appropriate psychological care. Therefore, the aim of the study is to develop a new scale to better understand and identify symptoms of OS-PTSD.
The study involves 2 stages -
1. Item generation:
Adults in the community with past experience of OS-PTSD (referred to as Community Experts by Experience; EbE) and clinical/forensic psychologists or psychiatrists with experience of providing clinical care to people with OS-PTSD (referred to as Clinicians) will be invited to take part.
Community EbE will be recruited from local networks and mental health charities, and Clinicians from NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (GGC) mental health services. Community EbE and Clinicians will attend one focus group each (lasting approximately 60 minutes each). The focus groups will be used to generate draft items for the new scale.2. Scale development:
Adults, currently under the care of an NHS GGC forensic mental health service, with past or current experience of OS-PTSD (referred to as Forensic EbE) will be recruited. This stage will be advertised via internal email and posters in NHS GGC forensic mental health services, encouraging clinicians to review their caseload for potential participants who might meet criteria. Forensic EbE will attend one 1:1 interview each (lasting approximately 60 minutes). Interviews will be used to obtain qualitative feedback on the draft questionnaire items from the item generation stage.No external funding is required for this study.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/NE/0104
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion