Psychometric Evaluation of Barriers to Help-Seeking-Trauma Scale in Turkish Violence Survivors

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant global public health and human rights issue. Despite experiencing violence, many survivors hesitate to seek professional help due to individual, social, and cultural barriers. Understanding these barriers is essential for improving access to support services. The Barriers to Help-Seeking–Trauma Version (BHS-TR) Scale was developed to identify such barriers across different cultural contexts. This study aimed to culturally adapt the BHS-TR Scale into Turkish and evaluate its psychometric properties in a sample of GBV survivors. A cultural adaptation and cross-sectional psychometric study was conducted between May and August 2024 at two universities in Türkiye. The sample included 163 women students who reported experiences of GBV. Data were collected using a demographic form, the Turkish version of the BHS-TR Scale, and the Barriers to Seeking Mental Health Counseling Scale (BMHC). Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 21, Jamovi, and JASP. Descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), reliability testing (Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega), and convergent validity assessment were performed. Participants most reported psychological violence (88.3%), coercion and threats (31.3%), childhood abuse (25.8%); 61.3% had never sought professional help. CFA supported the seven-factor structure of the BHS-TR Scale. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach’s α =.934). BHS-TR scores showed a moderate-positive correlation with the BMHC (r =.312, p <.01), supporting convergent validity. The Turkish BHS-TR Scale is a valid and reliable tool to assess help-seeking barriers among GBV survivors. It offers culturally relevant measures for research, policy, and intervention planning.