Psychometric properties of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5: a pilot study

Abstract

BackgroundTo date there is a lack of studies assessing the psychometric properties of the recently revised PTSD Checklist (PCL), the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). The aim of this pilot study was to examine the psychometric properties of the PCL-5 in parents of children with burns.MethodsThe participating parents (N=62, mean age=38) completed self-report questionnaires, 0.8–5.6 years after their child's burn. Measures were the PCL-5, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Burn severity of the child and sociodemographic variables was obtained.ResultsThe parents’ average PCL-5 scores were low to moderate. The internal consistency of the PCL-5 was satisfactory, with Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.56 to 0.77 and mean inter-item correlations ranging from 0.22 to 0.73 for the four PCL-5 subscales and the PCL-5 total. The PCL-5 subscales were moderately to highly correlated with the corresponding IES-R subscales as well as MADRS and PSS (p<0.05), whereas associations with sociodemographics and burn severity were low to moderate.ConclusionsThis study provides preliminary support for the use of PCL-5. The results indicate satisfactory psychometric properties of the PCL-5 as measured with internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and aspects of convergent validity.

Psychometric properties and diagnostic utility of a Brazilian version of the PCL-5 (complete and abbreviated versions)

“…Regarding internal consistency, in line with previous studies in other cultures, the Brazilian PCL-5 has shown excellent Cronbach's alpha values (Ashbaugh et al, 2016;Blevins et al, 2015;Bovin et al, 2016;Krüger-Gottschalk et al, 2017;Price et al, 2016;Sveen et al, 2016;Verhey et al, 2018;Wortmann et al, 2016). The internal consistency of the independent clusters was also adequate, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from .87 to .90.…”

“…Previous investigations on the psychometric properties of the PCL-5 in other cultures have demonstrated excellent psychometric validity and reliability of the instrument (Ashbaugh, Houle-Johnson, Herbert, El-Hage, & Brunet, 2016;Blevins, Weathers, Davis, Witte, & Domino, 2015;Bovin et al, 2016;Krüger-Gottschalk et al, 2017;Sveen, Bondjers, & Willebrand, 2016;Verhey, Chibanda, Gibson, Brakarsh, & Seedat, 2018;Wortmann et al, 2016). Preliminary findings on cutoff scores have presented mixed results, with suggested cutoff points ranging from 31 to 38 (Ashbaugh et al, 2016;Blevins et al, 2015;Bovin et al, 2016;Krüger-Gottschalk et al, 2017).…”

A pilot study of user satisfaction and perceived helpfulness of the Swedish version of the mobile app PTSD Coach

“…Initial evaluations of the instrument indicate that it has good test-retest reliability, convergent and discriminant validity (Blevins et al, 2015). The Swedish version was developed using a standard back-translation process and show satisfactory psychometric properties (Sveen, Bondjers, & Willebrand, 2016). …”

Exploring the relation between posttraumatic stress disorder and interpersonal outcomes: The role of social acknowledgment and trauma type

“…Total severity scores are calculated as the sum of individual items (range = 0-80). The PCL-5 has been shown to have good validity and reliability (Sveen, Bondjers, & Willebrand, 2016;Weathers, Litz, et al, 2013). Participants were instructed to complete the PCL-5 with respect to the index event identified in the trauma history interview.…”