Development and preliminary validation of a brief broad-spectrum measure of trauma exposure: The Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire.

Kubany, Edward S.; Leisen, Mary Beth; Kaplan, Aaron S.; Watson, Susan B.; Haynes, Stephen N.; Owens, Julie A.; Burns, Katie

doi:10.1037/1040-3590.12.2.210

Cited by 1,102Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ResearchAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesChild Abuse and Trauma

Development and preliminary validation of a brief broad-spectrum measure of trauma exposure: The Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire.

Kubany, Edward S., Leisen, Mary Beth, Kaplan, Aaron S., Watson, Susan B., Haynes, Stephen N., Owens, Julie A., Burns, Katie·2000·Psychological Assessment

DOI 10.1037/1040-3590.12.2.210

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Abstract

This article describes the development and preliminary validation of a brief questionnaire that assesses exposure to a broad range of potentially traumatic events. Items were generated from multiple sources of information. Events were described in behaviorally descriptive terms, consistent with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV posttraumatic stress disorder stressor criterion A1. When events were endorsed, respondents were asked if they experienced intense fear, helplessness, or horror (stressor criterion A2). In separate studies with college students, Vietnam veterans, battered women, and residents of a substance abuse program, most items possessed adequate to excellent temporal stability. In a study comparing questionnaire and structured-interview inquiries of trauma history, the 2 formats yielded similar rates of disclosure. Preliminary data on positive predictive power are also presented.

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The Traumatic Experiences Checklist was developed based on the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire and the Gaza Traumatic Events Scale.
“the authors developed a self-report checklist based on the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (Kubany et al., 2000) and the Gaza Traumatic Events Scale (Vostanis et al., 2008).”
From Traumatic Events, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Growth among University Students in Kabul City (2025) · cites this paper as Kubany et al., 2000
Trauma history was assessed using the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ).
“trauma history was assessed using the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ)28.”
From Elevated brain cannabinoid CB1 receptor availability in post-traumatic stress disorder: A positron emission tomography study (2013) · cites this paper as [28]

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“Subjects entering the registry completed a neuropsychiatric self-assessment battery that included the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS) (Davidson et al., 1997), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) (Beck et al., 1961), Combat Exposure Scale (Keane et al., 1989), Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (Kubany et al., 2000), Connor–D…”
Method
Alterations in the neural circuitry for emotion and attention associated with posttraumatic stress symptomatology
Pannu Hayes, J., LaBar, K. S., Petty, C. M., McCarthy, G., & Morey, R. A. (2009) · Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2008.05.005 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
RETRACTED: Association of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Reduced In Vivo Norepinephrine Transporter Availability in the Locus Coeruleus
Pietrzak, R. H., Gallezot, J., Ding, Y., Henry, S. E., Potenza, M. N., Southwick, S. M., Krystal, J. H., Carson, R. E., & Neumeister, A. (2013) · JAMA Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.399 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
Retracted
PTSD symptoms associated with the experiences of psychosis and hospitalisation: a review of the literature.
Berry, K., Ford, S., Jellicoe-Jones, L., & Haddock, G. (2013) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2013.01.011 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
“AES=Admission Experience Survey; AMT=Autobiographical Memory Test; BAI=Beck Anxiety Inventory; BAPS=Beliefs about Paranoia Scale; BAI=Beck Anxiety Inventory; BDI-II=Beck Depression Inventory; BPRS=Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; CAPS=Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale; CDS=Calgary Depression Scale; CIDI=Composite Inter…”
MethodInfluential
Impact of Co-Occurring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder on Suicidal Women With Borderline Personality Disorder
Harned, M. S., Rizvi, S. L., & Linehan, M. M. (2010) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2010.09081213 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
Prospective Trajectories of Posttraumatic Stress in College Women Following a Campus Mass Shooting
Orcutt, H. K., Bonanno, G. A., Hannan, S. M., & Miron, L. R. (2014) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.21914 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
Evaluation of cognitive restructuring for post-traumatic stress disorder in people with severe mental illness
Mueser, K. T., Gottlieb, J. D., Xie, H., Lu, W., Yanos, P. T., Rosenberg, S. D., Silverstein, S. M., Marcello, S. C., Minsky, S. K., Wolfe, R. S., et al. (2015) · The British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.114.147926 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Complexity of trauma narratives as an index of fragmented memory in PTSD: a critical analysis
Gray, M. J., & Lombardo, T. W. (2001) · Applied Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1002/acp.840 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
From Shattered Assumptions to Weakened Worldviews: Trauma Symptoms Signal Anxiety Buffer Disruption
Edmondson, D., Chaudoir, S. R., Mills, M. A., Park, C. L., Holub, J., & Bartkowiak, J. (2011) · Journal of loss & trauma · doi:10.1080/15325024.2011.572030 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Does therapeutic writing help people with long-term conditions? Systematic review, realist synthesis and economic considerations
Nyssen, O. P., Taylor, S. J., Wong, G., Steed, E., Bourke, L., Lord, J., Ross, C. A., Hayman, S., Field, V., Higgins, A., et al. (2016) · Health Technology Assessment · doi:10.3310/hta20270 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Longitudinal effects of interoceptive awareness training through Mindful Awareness in Body-oriented Therapy (MABT) as an adjunct to women’s substance use disorder treatment: A randomized controlled trial
Price, C. J., Thompson, E. A., Crowell, S., & Pike, K. (2019) · Drug and Alcohol Dependence · doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.02.012 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
“, 1992), economic and legal status, and life-time trauma exposure (Kubany et al., 2000).”
Background
Spiritual Struggles and Mental Health: Exploring the Moderating Effects of Religious Identity
Ellison, C. G., Fang, Q., Flannelly, K. J., & Steckler, R. A. (2013) · International Journal for the Psychology of Religion · doi:10.1080/10508619.2012.759868 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
“Stress was measured in terms of 15 stressors, consistent with several previous studies (Cohan & Bradbury, 1997; Kubany et al., 2000; Oman & King, 2000; Shrout et al., 1989).”
Method
Traumatic Experiences, Perceived Discrimination, and Psychological Distress Among Members of Various Socially Marginalized Groups
Matheson, K., Foster, M. D., Bombay, A., McQuaid, R. J., & Anisman, H. (2019) · The International Journal of Ecopsychology (IJE) · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00416 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Understanding the relationship between PTSD and social support: The role of negative network orientation
Clapp, J. D., & Beck, J. G. (2008) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2008.12.006 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
“Kubany ES, Haynes SN, Leisen MB, Owens JA, Kaplan AS, Watson SB, et al. Development and preliminary validation of a brief broad-spectrum measure of trauma exposure: The Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire.”
Method
Incidence and Risk Factors for Intensive Care Unit–related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans and Civilians
Patel, M. B., Jackson, J. C., Morandi, A., Girard, T. D., Hughes, C. G., Thompson, J. L., Kiehl, A. L., Elstad, M. R., Wasserstein, M. L., Goodman, R. B., et al. (2016) · American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine · doi:10.1164/rccm.201506-1158oc · Cited by 108 · see citing works
“Traumatic Life Event Questionnaire (TLEQ) (21, 22).”
Influential
The validity and diagnostic efficiency of the Davidson Trauma Scale in military veterans who have served since September 11th, 2001
McDonald, S. D., Beckham, J. C., Morey, R. A., & Calhoun, P. S. (2008) · Journal of Anxiety Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2008.07.007 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
“In this regard, it may be helpful to anchor the DTS symptom ratings to the outcome of a trauma rating scale, such as the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (Kubany et al., 2000; cf. PDS, Foa et al., 1997).”
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Pregnancy Health: Preliminary Update and Implications
Morland, L. A., Goebert, D. A., Onoye, J., Frattarelli, L. C., Derauf, C., Herbst, M., Matsu, C. R., & Friedman, M. J. (2007) · Psychosomatics · doi:10.1176/appi.psy.48.4.304 · Cited by 107 · see citing works
Belief in Life After Death and Mental Health
Flannelly, K. J., Koenig, H. G., Ellison, C. G., Galek, K., & KRAUSE, N. M. (2006) · The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease · doi:10.1097/01.nmd.0000224876.63035.23 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
“The stressors were selected and adapted from a number of studies (Cohan and Bradbury, 1997; Kubany et al., 2000; Oman and King, 2000; Shrout et al., 1989).”
Background
Relations Between Trauma Experiences and Psychological, Physical and Neuroendocrine Functioning Among Somali Refugees: Mediating Role of Coping with Acculturation Stressors
Matheson, K., Jorden, S., & Anisman, H. (2007) · Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health · doi:10.1007/s10903-007-9086-2 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
“A modified version of the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ) [41] was administered to assess exposure to a range of traumatic events.”
Method
Journalists and mental health: The psychological toll of covering everyday trauma
Seely, N. (2019) · Newspaper Research Journal · doi:10.1177/0739532919835612 · Cited by 103 · see citing works
“Development and preliminary validation of a brief broad-spectrum measure of trauma exposure: The Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire.”
Method
Stress generation: Future directions and clinical implications
Liu, R. T. (2013) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2013.01.005 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
“Second, and in response to the limitations of traditional life stress checklists, several “second-generation” checklists have been developed (e.g., the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire; Kubany et al., 2000).”
Background
Immediate Effects of Interoceptive Awareness Training through Mindful Awareness in Body-Oriented Therapy (Mabt) for Women in Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Price, C. J., Thompson, E. A., Crowell, S. E., Pike, K., Cheng, S. C., Parent, S., & Hooven, C. (2019) · Substance Abuse · doi:10.1080/08897077.2018.1488335 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
“, BA, BS) 4 (5) 2 (4) 7 (10) 13 (7) Monthly income No monthly income 42 (57) 25 (54) 28 (42) 95 (51) Less than $200 4 (5) 7 (15) 7 (10) 18 (10) Between $200 and $1000 18 (24) 11 (24) 22 (33) 51 (27) $1000 or more 9 (12) 3 (7) 9 (13) 21 (11) Children under 18 years of age 42 (57) 31 (67) 51 (76) 124 (68) Marital status…”
Genome-wide association study of posttraumatic stress disorder in a cohort of Iraq–Afghanistan era veterans
Ashley‐Koch, A. E., Garrett, M. E., Gibson, J., Liu, Y., Dennis, M. F., Kimbrel, N. A., Beckham, J. C., & Hauser, M. A. (2015) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2015.03.049 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
“Trauma exposure was measured with the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ; (Kubany et al., 2000), which is a 23-item selfreport measure that assesses a wide range of possible traumatic experiences (e.”
Method
The Post‐Deployment Mental Health (PDMH) study and repository: A multi‐site study of US Afghanistan and Iraq era veterans
Brancu, M., Wagner, H. R., Morey, R. A., Beckham, J. C., Calhoun, P. S., Tupler, L. A., Marx, C. E., Taber, K. H., Hurley, R. A., Rowland, J. A., et al. (2017) · International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1002/mpr.1570 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Experiences and needs of homeless youth with a history of foster care
Bender, K., Yang, J. L., Ferguson, K. M., & Thompson, S. J. (2015) · Children and Youth Services Review · doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.06.007 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
The relation between insecure attachment and posttraumatic stress: Early life versus adulthood traumas.
Ogle, C. M., Rubin, D. C., & Siegler, I. C. (2014) · Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy · doi:10.1037/tra0000015 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
“Relevant to the present report, participants were asked to describe three traumatic events that currently bothered them most, to report their age at each event, and to select a trauma category that best described each event from the list of events in the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (Kubany et al., 2000).”
Trauma and PTSD symptoms: Does spiritual struggle mediate the link?
Wortmann, J. H., Park, C. L., & Edmondson, D. (2011) · Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy · doi:10.1037/a0021413 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Reduced amygdala serotonin transporter binding in posttraumatic stress disorder
Murrough, J. W., Huang, Y., Hu, J., Henry, S., Williams, W., Gallezot, J.-D., Bailey, C. R., Krystal, J. H., Carson, R. E., & Neumeister, A. (2011) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2011.07.003 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Reduced Specificity in Episodic Future Thinking in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Kleim, B., Graham, B., Fihosy, S., Stott, R. B., & Ehlers, A. (2013) · Clinical Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/2167702613495199 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
“Trauma history including childhood abuse was assessed with the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (Kubany et al., 2000), which assesses exposure to a broad range of 17 types of traumatic events.”
Method
Hippocampus Glutamate and N-Acetyl Aspartate Markers of Excitotoxic Neuronal Compromise in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Rosso, I. M., Crowley, D. J., Silveri, M. M., Rauch, S. L., & Jensen, J. E. (2017) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1038/npp.2017.32 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
“Subjects were included in the TENC group if they endorsed at least one Criterion A trauma on the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ; (Kubany et al, 2000)).”
Method
Sexual Assault as a Contributor to Academic Outcomes in University: A Systematic Review
Molstad, T. D., Weinhardt, J. M., & Jones, R. (2021) · Trauma Violence & Abuse · doi:10.1177/15248380211030247 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
“, 2007) and the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (Kubany et al., 2000), and academic outcomes were then measured using GPA after the 1st year of university and attrition at the start of the 2nd year of university.”
MethodInfluential
Impact of emotional approach coping and hope on PTSD and depression symptoms in a trauma exposed sample of Veterans receiving outpatient VA mental health care services
Hassija, C. M., Luterek, J. A., Naragon‐Gainey, K., Moore, S. A., & Simpson, T. L. (2011) · Anxiety Stress & Coping · doi:10.1080/10615806.2011.621948 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
“The Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ; Kubany et al., 2000) is a selfreport measure that assesses a broad range of potentially traumatic life events and has good psychometric properties.”
Background
Posttraumatic Psychological Symptoms are Associated with Reduced Inhibitory Control, not General Executive Dysfunction
DeGutis, J., Esterman, M., McCulloch, B., Rosenblatt, A., Milberg, W., & McGlinchey, R. (2015) · Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society · doi:10.1017/s1355617715000235 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
“…18 of the 37 participants had a PTSD diagnosis based on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale and endorsed an average of 5.61± 3.08 lifetime traumatic events on the Traumatic Life Experiences Questionnaire (Kubany et al., 2000), with 30 participants reporting trauma that was deployment-related.”
MethodInfluential
Childhood trauma exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan war era veterans: Implications for posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and adult functional social support
Voorhees, E. E. V., Dedert, E. A., Calhoun, P. S., Brancu, M., Runnals, J. J., & Beckham, J. C. (2012) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2012.03.004 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Trauma Theory Without Feminism? Evaluating Contemporary Understandings of Traumatized Women
Tseris, E. J. (2013) · Affilia · doi:10.1177/0886109913485707 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
“…articles on trauma to begin with a description of the broad scope of events that the authors are including in their understanding of trauma, for example, ‘‘exposure to warfare, disasters, serious accidents, sudden deaths of loved ones, and physical and sexual abuse’’ (Kubany et al., 2000, p. 210).”
Background
Ketamine aggravates symptoms of acute stress disorder in a naturalistic sample of accident victims
Schönenberg, M., Reichwald, U., Domes, G., Badke, A., & Hautzinger, M. (2008) · Journal of Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1177/0269881107082481 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Participant, rater, and computer measures of coherence in posttraumatic stress disorder.
Rubin, D. C., Deffler, S. A., Ogle, C. M., Dowell, N. M., Graesser, A. C., & Beckham, J. C. (2016) · Journal of Abnormal Psychology · doi:10.1037/abn0000126 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
“Then, they were administered the Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (Kubany et al., 2000), CAPS, and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders, and were queried about current medications and treatment history.”
Method
Experiential avoidance as a mediator in the relationship between childhood psychological abuse and current mental health symptoms in college students
Reddy, M. K., Pickett, S. M., & Orcutt, H. K. (2006) · Journal of Emotional Abuse · doi:10.1300/j135v06n01_04 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Understanding Gender Differences in Resilience Among Veterans: Trauma History and Social Ecology
Portnoy, G. A., Relyea, M., Decker, S. E., Shamaskin‐Garroway, A., Driscoll, M., Brandt, C., & Haskell, S. G. (2018) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.22341 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Anger, social support, and suicide risk in U.S. military veterans
Wilks, C. R., Morland, L. A., Dillon, K. H., Mackintosh, M., Blakey, S. M., Wagner, H. R., & Elbogen, E. B. (2018) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.11.026 · Cited by 87 · see citing works

Authors: Kubany, E. S., Leisen, M. B., Kaplan, A. S., Watson, S. B., Haynes, S. N., Owens, J. A., & Burns, K.
Affiliations: United States Department of Veterans Affairs (US)
Venue: Psychological Assessment
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 2000
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Pages: 210-224
ISSN: 1040-3590 (ISSN-L)
1939-134X
DOI: 10.1037/1040-3590.12.2.210
OpenAlex: W1987849657
Cited by: 1,102
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 30 · 2025: 45 · 2024: 53 · 2023: 52 · 2022: 72 · 2021: 64 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 66 · 2018: 59 · 2017: 68 · 2016: 72 · 2015: 58 · 2014: 62 · 2013: 69 · 2012: 50
FWCI: 6.72
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Psychological Assessment (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Keywords: trauma exposure, potentially traumatic events, post-traumatic stress disorder, questionnaire development, temporal stability, university students, Vietnam War veterans, battered women
MeSH terms: Adult, Female, Humans, Life Change Events, Male, Middle Aged, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychometrics, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Reproducibility of Results, Trauma Severity Indices

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Development and preliminary validation of a brief broad-spectrum measure of trauma exposure: The Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire.

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