SCARS Institute: Early Experience and Recovery Pattern Self-Assessment for Scam Victims

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Your responses are processed in your browser and your email. Only you see any identifying information about you.

De-identified data supports research

With your permission and your identity removed, your de-identified answers are sent to the SCARS Institute for scientific research only. Data is never shared with third parties.

Keep your own copy

When you finish, you can save, email, or print your results on your own device — to keep, or to share with your therapist or mental health professional.

The SCARS Institute provides this tool to help you understand how early life experiences may shape your responses today, and to decide whether extra support would help. You can save it to share the results with your therapist or mental health professional.

I give my consent for my fully de-identified assessment data to be used for research purposes only. I understand that all personal identifiers have been removed from my responses, this information will not be shared with any third parties, and my participation is completely voluntary.

About This Assessment

This structured self-assessment explores patterns from early life experiences that may influence trust and attachment, boundary setting, emotional regulation, response to manipulation, and recovery challenges following betrayal trauma caused by scams.

Understanding these patterns does not explain or excuse the scam — it supports self-awareness, more effective recovery strategies, and stronger protective behaviours going forward. The patterns identified here reflect adaptation to earlier environments, not character flaws.

Reflect on your experiences before the age of 18. Rate each statement based on overall patterns, not isolated events:

0 — Never

1 — Rarely

2 — Sometimes

3 — Often

4 — Very Often

Important. This tool is intended to support self-awareness and therapeutic discussion. It is not a diagnostic instrument and does not determine why a scam occurred. If reflecting on early experiences causes significant distress, please pause and speak with a trauma-informed professional before continuing. Criminal responsibility always remains with the offender.

1

Emotional Attunement and Validation

Question 1 of 40

Why we ask this

Select an option to continue

Your Early Experience Pattern Results

Based on your responses across 8 sections and 40 statements about experiences before age 18

Overall Pattern Level

Section Pattern Summary

Section Score Breakdown (each section 0–20)

What This Means

Pattern Interpretation by Section

Using These Results

This assessment is a structured reflection tool grounded in trauma-informed literature and early experience research. It is not a clinical diagnosis. These patterns reflect adaptation to earlier environments — they are not character flaws, and they do not cause victimisation. Understanding them can support increased self-awareness, improved boundary setting, and more effective trauma recovery. Results should be discussed with a qualified therapist or trauma-informed professional where possible.

Saves a copy on your own device. Your de-identified answers are also sent to the SCARS Institute for research, as described before you began.