Validation of the “Darryl” PTSD Cartoon Test with Abused Children

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of reliable and valid PTSD tests for young children that cannot read or are weak readers. The semi-projective cartoon test, “Darryl”, which is read aloud, is a measure that appeals to this age group. The test has been applied in both clinical and epidemiological studies. OBJECTIVE: to validate a cartoon test, “Darryl”, for children aged 6 or older in a population of children suspectedly sexually and/or physically abused. METHODS: In the Danish Child Centres, 327 children were screened with Darryl as part of an assessment for further intervention. The Bech Youth Inventory was filled out by 113 children, and 63 caregivers filled out the Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire. Correlations were used to study the convergent validity between the scales and subscales and effect sizes were estimated. Reliability of the scales was investigated using Cronbach’s alpha. RESULTS: Following the DSM-IV, 55.7% of the children (n = 182) had a possible PTSD diagnosis. More girls (n = 110, 62.9 %) than boys (n = 72, 47.4%) had PTSD. A total of 21.7 % (n = 71) had subclinical PTSD, lacking only one symptom of the full diagnosis. There was no significant difference in PTSD regarding physical or sexual abuse. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The test allows clinicians in the pediatric field to screen for possible PTSD in a population where systematic self-report data have paramount importance. CONCLUSIONS: Darryl appears to be a valid and reliable test for screening young children who have been physically or sexually abused. The test is helpful for clinician working with young children to identify those have developed trauma symptoms to secure them early treatment.