Developmental Trauma Profile (DTP)

Developmental Trauma Profile (DTP) has been developed to measure, how childhood experiences may influence psychological development across the lifespan. Traditional childhood trauma questionnaires primarily focus on adverse experiences, the (DTP) tries to measure multiple developmental dimensions including childhood adversity, caregiver relationships, adaptive survival strategies, current emotional functioning, protective experiences, and recovery from the past experiences.

Research suggests that childhood adversity may influence emotional regulation, attachment, self-worth, interpersonal relationships, coping styles, and resilience. However, childhood development is also influenced by positive relationships, supportive environments, and opportunities for recovery. For this reason, the (DTP) measures both risk and protective factors, allowing a more balanced understanding of childhood development.

The assessment is provided in six complementary sections. Part 1 looks for childhood experiences through an inventory of potentially adverse events that may have occurred before the age of 18. Parts 2 to 6 evaluate psychological development, current functioning, protective factors, and personal growth. Together these parts provide a detailed developmental profile rather than focusing solely on traumatic experiences.

The assessment is completed in six sequential parts.

Part 1 consists of a Childhood Experience Inventory where participants identify childhood experiences that apply to them before the age of 18.

Part 2 evaluates caregiver relationships including emotional availability, consistency, trust, and belonging.

Part 3 measures adaptive survival strategies that commonly develop during childhood.

Part 4 evaluates current emotional and interpersonal functioning.

Part 5 measures protective childhood experiences and supportive relationships.

Part 6 evaluates recovery, resilience, self-awareness, and psychological growth.

Responses from all six sections are combined to generate a multidimensional Childhood Development Profile.

Part 1 (Childhood Experience Inventory) in this section six childhood experience categories are presented using an inventory format rather than traditional rating scales. Each category is presented to participants and are directed to indicate whether any of category applies to them in (Yes/No) format and if participant selects yes then a set of events are presented.

Part 2 (Caregiver Relationships) contains 20 scored items across four dimensions:

• Emotional Availability (5 items)
• Consistency (5 items)
• Trust & Security (5 items)
• Sense of Belonging (5 items)

Part 3 (Childhood Adaptation) contains 20 scored items across four dimensions:

• Hypervigilance (5 items)
• People Pleasing (5 items)
• Emotional Suppression (5 items)
• Perfectionism (5 items)

Part 4 (Current Emotional Impact) contains 20 scored items across four dimensions:

• Emotional Regulation (5 items)
• Self-Worth (5 items)
• Trust in Others (5 items)
• Boundaries (5 items)

Part 5 (Protective Experiences) contains 15 scored items across three dimensions:

• Supportive Relationships (5 items)
• Positive Childhood Experiences (5 items)
• Sense of Belonging (5 items)

Part 6 (Healing & Growth) contains 15 scored items across three dimensions:

• Self-Awareness (5 items)
• Recovery (5 items)
• Resilience (5 items)

Parts 2 through 6 contain a total of 70 scored statements. Each statement uses a five-point response scale:

0 = Never

1 = Rarely

2 = Sometimes

3 = Often

4 = Very Often

Each psychological dimension contains five items, including one reverse-scored statement to reduce response bias.

Raw Dimension Scores:

Each five-item dimension ranges from:

Minimum = 0

Maximum = 20

Dimension Percentage Score:

Dimension Percentage = (Raw Dimension Score ÷ 20) × 100

Part Scores:

Part 2 Maximum = 80

Part 3 Maximum = 80

Part 4 Maximum = 80

Part 5 Maximum = 60

Part 6 Maximum = 60

Overall Psychological Score:

The Overall Psychological Score is calculated using Parts 2 through 6 only.

Minimum Raw Score = 0

Maximum Raw Score = 360

Overall Percentage Score:

Overall Score = (Total Raw Score ÷ 360) × 100

Higher scores generally indicate greater long-term psychological effects associated with adverse childhood experiences. Higher scores within Protective Experiences and Healing & Growth represent stronger protective factors, greater resilience, and healthier psychological recovery.

Emotional abuse.

Insults

Humiliation

Constant criticism

Rejection

Threats

Being blamed unfairly

Being ignored as punishment

Being made to feel worthless

Physical abuse.

Slapped

Hit

Pushed

Kicked

Choked

Shaken violently

Injured intentionally

Threatened with physical harm

Emotional neglect.

Lack of affection

Feeling unloved

Feeling emotionally ignored

No emotional support

No comfort when upset

Feeling invisible

Feeling unwanted

Feeling alone

Physical neglect.

Lack of food

Lack of clean clothing

Poor hygiene care

Medical care was neglected

Unsafe living conditions

Left alone for long periods

Basic needs were ignored

No adult supervision

Sexual boundary violations.

Unwanted sexual comments

Unwanted touching

Forced sexual contact

Exposure to sexual behavior

Exposure to sexual materials

Sexual coercion

Violation of personal boundaries

Other unwanted sexual experiences

Household dysfunction.

Domestic violence

Parental separation or divorce

Alcohol or drug misuse at home

Mental illness in the household

Frequent family conflict

Household member imprisoned

Witnessing violence

Living in constant fear at home

I felt understood.

Someone listened to me.

I felt loved.

Someone comforted me.

I rarely felt supported.

Home felt stable.

Rules were consistent.

I knew what to expect.

Home felt calm.

Home felt unpredictable.

I trusted my caregivers.

I felt protected.

I could ask for help.

I felt safe at home.

I found it hard to trust adults.

I felt accepted.

I felt included.

I felt important.

I felt connected to my family.

I often felt like an outsider.

I watched for danger.

I noticed people's moods.

I expected problems.

I stayed alert.

I usually felt relaxed.

I tried to please everyone.

I avoided upsetting others.

I put others first.

I feared disappointing people.

I found it easy to say no.

I hid my feelings.

I kept emotions inside.

I avoided crying.

I acted like I was fine.

I expressed my feelings freely.

I had to be perfect.

Mistakes upset me.

I feared failure.

I expected too much from myself.

I accepted my mistakes.

I struggle to control my emotions.

I become overwhelmed easily.

Strong emotions last a long time.

I find it hard to calm down.

I recover quickly after stress.

I feel good about myself.

I often doubt myself.

I feel I am not good enough.

I criticize myself often.

I compare myself negatively.

I find it hard to trust people.

I expect people to disappoint me.

I keep people at a distance.

I avoid depending on others.

I usually trust people.

I struggle to say no.

I put others before myself.

I feel guilty setting limits.

Others take advantage of me.

I set healthy boundaries.

Someone believed in me.

Someone encouraged me.

Someone accepted me.

Someone made me feel important.

I rarely had support.

I have happy childhood memories.

I enjoyed being a child.

I felt loved growing up.

I remember joyful moments.

Good childhood memories are rare.

I felt accepted by others.

I felt included.

I felt connected to others.

I felt that I belonged.

I often felt like an outsider.

I understand my past.

I understand my emotions.

I notice unhealthy patterns.

I learn from my experiences.

I rarely reflect on my life.

I have made progress.

I am healing emotionally.

I feel stronger than before.

I continue to grow.

I feel stuck in the past.

I recover after setbacks.

I adapt to change.

Challenges help me grow.

I remain hopeful.

I give up easily.