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Assessment of Introject States in Psychological Trauma3

Assessment of Introject States in Psychological Trauma Test

In 15 minutes, clarify which internalized voice patterns shape your trauma reactions. Eighty items pinpoint the dominant introject so care can target the real wound and reduce chronic stress.

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Questions: 8015 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

17,322 views

1,406 completions

1,181 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

7/10

Self-Aggressor (SA)

Measures the tendency toward self-criticism, self-blame, and internalized aggression directed at oneself.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 3: Low | 4 – 6: Moderate | 7 – 10: High

A score of 7 indicates a high level of self-critical and self-blaming inner responses that may intensify distress under stress.

example score

5/10

Nurturing Parent (NP)

Measures the degree of a caring, supportive, and accepting internal stance toward oneself and others.

Low support

Moderate support

High support

0 – 3: Low support | 4 – 6: Moderate support | 7 – 10: High support

A score of 5 suggests a moderately caring and supportive inner voice that is present but not consistently accessible under stress.

example score

4/10

External Aggressor (EA)

Measures the intensity of outward-directed aggression and the tendency to express negative emotions toward others under stress.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 3: Low | 4 – 6: Moderate | 7 – 10: High

A score of 4 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting occasional outward expression of anger or blame toward others, especially in stressful situations.

example score

7/10

Internal Protector (IP)

Measures how strongly a person can mobilize inner protective resources to manage perceived external or internal threats and stress.

Low protection

Moderate protection

Strong protection

0 – 3: Low protection | 4 – 7: Moderate protection | 8 – 10: Strong protection

A score of 7 suggests generally reliable self-protective capacity and access to coping resources, with some room to strengthen consistency under higher stress.

example score

5/10

Depressed Child (DC)

Measures the extent to which negative childhood experiences are associated with current feelings of sadness, helplessness, or low mood in the internal voice pattern.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 3: Low | 4 – 6: Moderate | 7 – 10: High

A score of 5 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable but not pervasive activation of the Depressed Child introject in response to stress.

example score

6/10

Optimistic Child (OC)

Measures the extent of positive, cheerful, spontaneous childlike traits associated with joy and creativity.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 3: Low | 4 – 7: Moderate | 8 – 10: High

A score of 6 suggests a moderate presence of optimistic, spontaneous childlike qualities, with some capacity for joy and creativity that may vary by context.

example score

3/10

Problematic Adult (PA)

Measures the degree of difficulty in adult functioning, including insecurity, maladaptive problem-solving, and internal conflict associated with trauma-related introjects.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 3: Low | 4 – 7: Moderate | 8 – 10: High

A score of 3 indicates low levels of troubled adult functioning, suggesting generally adequate adult coping with only occasional insecurity or internal conflict.

example score

5/10

Healthy Adult (HA)

Measures the extent of mature, adaptive coping and stable healthy responses to stress.

Limited adaptive coping

Developing coping skills

Strong healthy coping

0 – 3: Limited adaptive coping | 4 – 6: Developing coping skills | 7 – 10: Strong healthy coping

A score of 5 indicates moderate access to healthy adult strategies, with some adaptive responses available but not consistently sustained under stress.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Trauma-focused therapists

41%OF USERS

Clinicians use it to quickly identify the dominant internal voice pattern shaping a client’s reactions after loss, violence, or severe stress.

Clients in trauma therapy

34%OF USERS

People already in counseling take it to name what inner stance is driving shame, fear, anger, or self-criticism during triggers.

Crisis and rehab staff

25%OF USERS

Helping professionals in shelters, hospitals, or rehabilitation programs use it to guide referrals and choose more targeted support steps.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Autoaggressor (A)

Average

4.5

Normal range

3.2 — 5.7

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Caring Parent (CP)

Average

5.1

Normal range

3.3 — 7

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

External Aggressor (EA)

Average

5.4

Normal range

3.8 — 6.9

min.

max.

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Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Inner Defender (ID)

Average

6.5

Normal range

4.9 — 8.2

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Depressed Child (DC)

Average

3.6

Normal range

2.1 — 5

min.

max.

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Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Optimistic Child (OC)

Average

4.1

Normal range

2.7 — 5.5

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Troubled Adult (TA)

Average

4.6

Normal range

3.3 — 5.8

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Healthy Adult (HA)

Average

3.9

Normal range

2.3 — 5.5

min.

max.

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

Below is a list of various qualities. Select those that most accurately describe your current state. If a given quality does not apply to you, select “No, does not apply.” If the quality does apply, select the affirmative response: “Yes, this applies to me right now. This is my internal state.”

- Yes, this applies to me right now
- No, does not apply
- Yes, this applies to me right now
- No, does not apply
- Yes, this applies to me right now
- No, does not apply

These are 3 of the 80 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

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WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Diagnosis of Introjected States in Psychological Trauma Test

Assessment of Introject States in Psychological Trauma Test - Symptoms and Signs

introjective state

psychotherapy

This measure is designed to support clinical understanding of internalized self-evaluative and self-critical patterns that may become salient following traumatic experiences. The Assessment of Introject States in Psychological Trauma is intended to help identify dominant introjective states that can influence affect regulation, stress responding, and interpersonal functioning.

Developed by Sidney J. Blatt, it consists of 80 items and typically requires about 15 minutes to complete. Responses may be used to inform case formulation and treatment planning by clarifying which internalized voices or self-relational stances are most prominent at the time of assessment.

Interpretation should be integrated with clinical interview findings and other relevant measures, with attention to context, symptom severity, and safety considerations. The Assessment of Introject States in Psychological Trauma is not a stand-alone diagnostic tool and is best applied within a comprehensive trauma-informed evaluation.

Author: Sidney J. Blatt

Literature: Judith L. Herman. Trauma and recovery: the aftermath of violence—from domestic abuse to political terror. Basic Books. 1992.