CHILD TRAUMA QUESTIONAIRE (CTQ) – SHORT FORM
These questions ask about some of your experiences growing up as a child and a teenager. For each question, circle
(or select in any other way if completing online) the number that best describes how you feel. Although some of these
questions are of a personal nature, please try to answer as honestly as you can. Your answers will be kept
confidential.
Q QUESTION NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES OFTEN VERY
TRUE TRUE TRUE TRUE OFTEN
TRUE
When I was growing up
1 I didn't have enough to eat. 1 2 3 4 5
2 I knew that there was someone to take care of me 1 2 3 4 5
and protect me.
3 People in my family called me things like "stupid", 1 2 3 4 5
"lazy", or "ugly".
4 My parents were too drunk or high to take care of 1 2 3 4 5
the family.
5 There was someone in my family who helped me 1 2 3 4 5
feel important or special
When I was growing up
6 I had to wear dirty clothes 1 2 3 4 5
7 I felt loved. 1 2 3 4 5
8 I thought that my parents wished I had never been 1 2 3 4 5
born
9 I got hit so hard by someone in my family that I had 1 2 3 4 5
to see a doctor or go to the hospital.
10 There was nothing I wanted to change about my 1 2 3 4 5
family.
When I was growing up
11 People in my family hit me so hard that it left me 1 2 3 4 5
with bruises or marks.
12 I was punished with a belt, a board, a cord (or some 1 2 3 4 5
other hard object).
13 People in my family looked out for each other. 1 2 3 4 5
14 People in my family said hurtful or insulting things to 1 2 3 4 5
me.
15 I believe that I was physically abused. 1 2 3 4 5
When I was growing up
16 I had the perfect childhood. 1 2 3 4 5
17 I got hit or beaten so badly that it was noticed by 1 2 3 4 5
someone like a teacher, neighbour, or doctor.
18 Someone in my family hated me. 1 2 3 4 5
19 People in my family felt close to each other. 1 2 3 4 5
20 Someone tried to touch me in a sexual way or tried 1 2 3 4 5
to make me touch them.
When I was growing up
21 Someone threatened to hurt me or tell lies about me 1 2 3 4 5
unless I did something sexual with them.
22 I had the best family in the world. 1 2 3 4 5
23 Someone tried to make me do sexual things or 1 2 3 4 5
watch sexual things.
24 Someone molested me (took advantage of me 1 2 3 4 5
sexually).
25 I believe that I was emotionally abused. 1 2 3 4 5
When I was growing up
26 There was someone to take me to the doctor if I 1 2 3 4 5
needed it
27 I believe that I was sexually abused. 1 2 3 4 5
28 My family was a source of strength and support. 1 2 3 4 5
Copyright (1995) David P. Bernstein (Berstein et al., 2003)
Re-designed retaining exact same contact as original by Tor Alexander Bruce (2019) for use in academic studies
