Consistency of self-reports of traumatic events in a population of Dutch peacekeepers: reason for optimism?

Abstract

Doubts have been raised concerning the reliability and the validity of self-reports of traumatic events. A correlation between the number of inconsistencies in self-reports and the level of PTSD symptoms has been found. We examine whether these results can be generalized to a population of 137 Dutch peacekeepers who took part in operation UNTAC (United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia). The peacekeepers completed a 16-item trauma checklist, 3 and 4 years after their return from UNTAC. The test-retest reliability of the trauma checklist was adequate. Inconsistencies were randomly divided over all respondents and all items and were not correlated with symptoms of PTSD. No increase in the number of reported events over time was found. Earlier findings raising doubts concerning the reliability and validity of self-report measures of exposure were not replicated in this sample of Dutch peacekeepers.