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Constructivist Self Development Theory |
Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale |
Vicarious Traumatization and its Measurement |
Psychological Measures Available
Constructivist Self Development Theory
Constructivist Self Development Theory (CSDT) is a personality theory
developed by Laurie Anne Pearlman and colleagues at the Traumatic Stress
Institute/Center for Adult & Adolescent Psychotherapy LLC. CSDT describes
the impact of traumatic life events on the development of the individual. It
emphasizes the individual nature of trauma including the idea that
individuals construct the meaning that a particular trauma has for them
based on a host of factors. This theory also outlines the various aspects of
personality that are affected by trauma including: self capacities, ego
resources, psychological needs and related cognitive schemas, memory, and
frame of reference. The theory is presented in a relational context as a
framework for working with trauma survivor clients in psychotherapy. For
more information about CSDT, please see the following:
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Saakvitne, K.W., Gamble, S.G., Pearlman, L.A., & Lev, B.T. (2000). Risking
connection: A training curriculum for working with survivors of childhood
abuse. Lutherville, MD: Sidran Foundation and Press.
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Rosenbloom, D.J., & Williams, M.B. (1999). Life after trauma: A workbook
for healing. New York: The Guilford Press.
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Pearlman, L.A. (1998). Trauma and the self: A theoretical and clinical
perspective. Journal of Emotional Abuse, 1, 7-25.
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Pearlman, L.A. & Saakvitne, K.W. (1995). Trauma and the therapist: Countertransference and vicarious traumatization in psychotherapy with
incest survivors. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.
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McCann, I.L., & Pearlman, L.A. (1992). “Constructivist self development
theory: A theoretical model of psychological adaptation to severe trauma.”
In D.K. Sakheim & S.E. Devine (Eds.), Out of darkness: Exploring satanism
and ritual abuse (pp. 185-206). New York: Lexington Books.
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Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale
The Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale (TABS), formerly known as the TSI Belief Scale, is a measure developed by Laurie Anne Pearlman and based in constructivist self development theory. The 84-item scale assesses disruptions in cognitive schemas reflecting the following five areas of psychological need: Control, Esteem, Intimacy, Safety, and Trust. Using Likert-scale scoring, the TABS yields a total score as well as ten subscales which measure each of the psychological need areas in relation to self and other (self-safety and other-safety, for example).
The scale is a useful clinical tool that can assist in identifying psychological themes in trauma material, as well as interpersonal and intrapersonal themes that are likely to emerge within the therapeutic process, suggesting an appropriate therapeutic approach with a particular client.
In addition, the scale can be used to document progress and change within a particular therapy. Given its face validity and non-pathologizing approach to assessment, the TABS is particularly well suited to collaborative discussion with clients.
Normative data have been developed for the scale on both clinical and non-clinical populations and support the TABS as a reliable and valid measure. Norms are available for both adults and adolescents.
The TABS is published by Western Psychological Services, Inc. (Pearlman, 2003). For more information about ordering the scale from WPS, please visit
www.wpspublish.com.
Vicarious traumatization and its measurement
Definition of Vicarious Traumatization
Vicarious traumatization (VT) is defined as
the negative transformation in the self of the helper that comes about as a
result of empathic engagement with survivors’ trauma material and a sense of
responsibility or commitment to help (Risking Connection; Saakvitne, Gamble,
Pearlman, & Lev, 2000). VT is an inevitable process for those engaged in
trauma work and is neither the fault of the client/consumer nor that of the
therapist/ helper. VT can be addressed, prevented to a certain extent, and
transformed. For more information about VT, please see our publication page,
including the following:
| Saakvitne, K.W., Gamble, S.G., Pearlman, L.A., & Lev, B.T. (2000).
Risking connection: A training curriculum for working with survivors of
childhood abuse. Lutherville, MD: Sidran Foundation and Press.
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| Saakvitne, K.W., & Pearlman, L.A., and the Staff of Traumatic Stress
Institute (1966). Transforming the pain: A workbook on vicarious traumatization for
helping professionals who work with traumatized clients. New York: W.W.
Norton.
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| Pearlman, L.A., Saakvitne, K.W., et al. (1995).
Vicarious traumatization I:
The cost of empathy. Ukiah, CA: Cavalcade Productions, Inc.
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| Pearlman, L.A., Saakvitne, K.W., et al. (1995).
Vicarious traumatization II:
Transforming the pain. Ukiah, CA: Cavalcade Productions, Inc. |
Measurement of VT
Over the years, people have measured VT in
a wide variety of ways. Conceptualized within constructivist self
development theory (McCann & Pearlman, 1990), VT is a multifaceted construct
requiring a multifaceted assessment. More specifically, the aspects of VT
that would need to be measured for a complete assessment include self
capacities, ego resources, frame of reference (identity, world view, and
spirituality), psychological needs, and trauma symptoms. For information
about a recent pilot study that sought to assess VT, see the
Research page of our
Risking Connection web site.
We have developed measures of some of these elements of VT, including the
following:
Psychological needs: Trauma and Attachment Belief Scale (Pearlman, 2003).
This scale is available through Western Psychological Services, Inc. at
www.wpspublish.com.
Self capacities: Inner Experience Questionnaire (Pearlman, 1995).
Spirituality: Life Orientation Inventory (Pearlman & Neumann, 1995).
Other possible measures of aspects of VT include:
Trauma symptoms:
| PTSD Checklist (PCL, Weathers et al, 1993) |
| Impact of Events Scale (IES, Horowitz, 1979) |
| Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R; Weiss & Marmar, 1996) |
| Trauma Symptom Inventory (Briere,
1996) |
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Detailed Assessment of
Posttraumatic Stress (DAPS, Briere, 2001) |
Self Capacities:
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Inventory of Altered
Self-Capacities (IASC, Briere, 2002) |
World view:
| World Assumptions Scale (Janoff-Bulman, 1989) |
Psychological Measures Available
The Trauma and Attachment Belief
Scale, based in constructivist self development theory, was designed to
assess disruptions in cognitive schemas in five psychological need areas
that are sensitive to the effects of traumatic life experiences. The 84
Likert-scale items provide scores on ten subscales: self and other
dimensions of safety, trust, esteem, intimacy, and control. These items
appear to tap into inner working models that guide behavior. The scale
scores provide useful information about traumatized and non-traumatized
persons. Both adult and adolescent normative data are available. For further
information about the scale, including ordering information, contact Western
Psychological Services at
www.wpspublish.com.
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