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Assessment of Introject States in Psychological Trauma3

Assessment of Introject States in Psychological Trauma Test

After 15 minutes of answering 80 brief yes-or-no questions, the Assessment of Introject States in Psychological Trauma Test offers a profile of inner states linked with self-criticism, protection, aggression, childhood experience, and adult coping. Results can support self-reflection by highlighting emotional patterns and resources that may deserve closer attention.

Questions: 8015 minutes

Assessment of Introject States: test ticket with numbers

October 2, 2025October 2, 2025Material has been updatedOctober 2, 2025Material has been published

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Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

Self-AggressorSA

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

example score7/10

7/10Highexample score

0 – 3Low

4 – 6Moderate

7 – 10High

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

Nurturing ParentNP

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

example score5/10

5/10Moderate supportexample score

0 – 3Low support

4 – 6Moderate support

7 – 10High support

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

External AggressorEA

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

example score4/10

4/10Moderateexample score

0 – 3Low

4 – 6Moderate

7 – 10High

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

Internal ProtectorIP

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

example score7/10

7/10Moderate protectionexample score

0 – 3Low protection

4 – 7Moderate protection

8 – 10Strong 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.

Depressed ChildDC

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

example score5/10

5/10Moderateexample score

0 – 3Low

4 – 6Moderate

7 – 10High

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.

Optimistic ChildOC

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

example score6/10

6/10Moderateexample score

0 – 3Low

4 – 7Moderate

8 – 10High

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.

Problematic AdultPA

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

example score3/10

3/10Lowexample score

0 – 3Low

4 – 7Moderate

8 – 10High

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

Healthy AdultHA

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

example score5/10

5/10Developing coping skillsexample score

0 – 3Limited adaptive coping

4 – 6Developing coping skills

7 – 10Strong 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.

Shaded area — where most people score

Dot — the average

You — your score lands on each curve after the test— your score, after the test

AutoaggressorA

You?

Average4.5

Typical rangeTypical3.2 – 5.7

Possible0 – 10

Caring ParentCP

You?

Average5.1

Typical rangeTypical3.3 – 7

Possible0 – 10

External AggressorEA

You?

Average5.4

Typical rangeTypical3.8 – 6.9

Possible0 – 10

Inner DefenderID

You?

Average6.5

Typical rangeTypical4.9 – 8.2

Possible0 – 10

Depressed ChildDC

You?

Average3.6

Typical rangeTypical2.1 – 5

Possible0 – 10

Optimistic ChildOC

You?

Average4.1

Typical rangeTypical2.7 – 5.5

Possible0 – 10

Troubled AdultTA

You?

Average4.6

Typical rangeTypical3.3 – 5.8

Possible0 – 10

Healthy AdultHA

You?

Average3.9

Typical rangeTypical2.3 – 5.5

Possible0 – 10

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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.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

Assessment of Introject States in Psychological Trauma Test - Description and methodology of the test

introjective state

psychotherapy

People examining how trauma may shape inner roles, self-criticism, protection, aggression, and coping can use the Assessment of Introject States in Psychological Trauma Test to organize those experiences into a readable profile. As a trauma self-assessment, it suits readers seeking language for recurring emotional patterns and personal resources, and for deciding what deserves deeper reflection.

What This Assessment Explores

This introject states questionnaire covers:

Self-Aggressor (0-10) measures self-criticism/self-blame: Low 0-3; Moderate 4-6; High 7-10. Nurturing Parent (0-10) measures care/self-acceptance: Low support 0-3; Moderate support 4-6; High support 7-10.
External Aggressor (0-10) measures outward aggression: Low 0-3; Moderate 4-6; High 7-10. Internal Protector (0-10) measures self-protection/coping resources: Low protection 0-3; Moderate protection 4-7; Strong protection 8-10.
Depressed Child (0-10) measures childhood helplessness/sadness: Low 0-3; Moderate 4-6; High 7-10. Optimistic Child (0-10) measures childhood joy/spontaneity/creativity: Low 0-3; Moderate 4-7; High 8-10.
Problematic Adult (0-10) measures insecurity/maladaptive problem-solving: Low 0-3; Moderate 4-7; High 8-10. Healthy Adult (0-10) measures mature/adaptive coping: Limited adaptive coping 0-3; Developing coping skills 4-6; Strong healthy coping 7-10.

Methodology and Scientific Basis

Each item is a brief self-description answered Yes, this applies to me right now or No, does not apply. The sample covers initiative, hope, withdrawal, aggression, boundaries, self-blame, support, and protection, so responses describe current states rather than retrospective history.

Scores form a psychological trauma profile across the displayed bands. The questionnaire does not specify weighting, reverse-keying, or normative samples, so these bands describe endorsed patterns rather than established clinical norms.

The assessment is conceptually consistent with Identification With the Aggressor Scale (Lahav et al., 2019), especially its focus on internalized aggression and protective responses, but it is not an adaptation of that scale. It also fits Blatt and Lerner's work on object representation and Blatt's studies of parental representations and depressive experience; these sources provide context, not validation of this online version.

Because this is self-report, current mood, self-awareness, and response bias can influence endorsement. Results may change with context and should be considered alongside personal history and functioning, not as a diagnosis or complete account of the person.

Author: Sidney J. Blatt

Literature:

Lahav, Y., Talmon, A., & Ginzburg, K. (2021). Knowing the Abuser Inside and Out: The Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Identification With the Aggressor Scale. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(19-20), 9725-9748. 10.1177/0886260519872306
Blatt, S. J., & Lerner, H. (1983). The Psychological Assessment of Object Representation. Journal of Personality Assessment, 47(1), 7-28. 10.1207/s15327752jpa4701_2
Blatt, S. J., Wein, S. J., Chevron, E. S., & Quinlan, D. M. (1979). Parental Representations and Depression in Normal Young Adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 88(4), 388-397. 10.1037/0021-843X.88.4.388
Blatt, S. J., D’Afflitti, J. P., & Quinlan, D. M. (1976). Experiences of Depression in Normal Young Adults. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 85(4), 383-389. 10.1037/0021-843X.85.4.383

Updated: 2025-10-02