The PCL is a 17-item self-report measure of the 17 DSM-IV
symptoms of PTSD. Respondents rate how much they were
“bothered by that problem in the past month”. Items are
rated on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (“not at all”)
to 5 (“extremely”). There are several versions of the
PCL. The original PCL is the PCL-M (military). The PCL-M asks about
problems in response to "stressful military experiences." The PCL-S
(specific) asks about problems in relation to an identified
"stressful experience." The PCL-C (civilian) is for civilians and
is not focused on any one traumatic events. Instead it asks more
generally about problems in relation to stressful experiences.
Scoring
The PCL can be scored in several different ways. A total score
(range 17-85) can be obtained by summing the scores from each of
the 17 items. Cutoff scores for a probable PTSD diagnosis have been
validated for some populations, but may not generalize to other
populations. A second way to score the PCL is to follow the DSM-IV
criteria. It has been suggested that a combination of these two
approaches (i.e., the requisite number of symptoms are endorsed
within each cluster AND the total score is above the specified cut
point for a specific population) may be best (for a detailed
review, see Norris & Hamblen and Orsillo). Separate scores can
also be obtained for Criteria B, C, and D.
Sample Items
In the past month, how much have you been bothered by:
PCL-C: “Repeated, disturbing memories, thoughts or
images of a stressful experience from the past?”
PCL-S: “Repeated, disturbing memories, thoughts or
images of the (stressful experience)?”
PCL-M: “Repeated, disturbing memories, thoughts or
images of a stressful military experience?”
1 = Not at all
2 = A little bit
3 = Moderately
4 = Quite a bit
5 = Extremely
Versions
There are several versions of the PTSD Checklist ioncluding the
PCL-C (Civilian), PCL-S (Specific), and PCL-M (Military). The PCL-C
is available in Spanish. See the description above for more
information.
References
Weathers, F., Litz, B., Herman, D., Huska, J., & Keane,
T. (October 1993). The PTSD Checklist (PCL): Reliability, Validity,
and Diagnostic Utility. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of
the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, San
Antonio, TX.
NOTE: Due to some confusion over versions of the PCL, some of
the published papers state that the PCL-C was used in the study,
but the authors have confirmed that the PCL-S was the version
actually used.
PCL-C
Dobie, D. J., Kivlahan, D. R., Maynard, C., Bush, K. R.,
McFall, M. E., Epler, A. J., et al. (2002). Screening for
post-traumatic stress disorder in female Veteran's Affairs
patients: validation of the PTSD Checklist. General Hospital
Psychiatry, 24(6), 367-374.
Lang, A. J., Laffaye, C., Satz, L. E., Dresselhaus, T. R.,
& Stein, M. B. (2003). Sensitivity and specificity of the PTSD
Checklist in detecting PTSD in female veterans in primary care.
Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16(3), 257-264.
Walker, E. A., Newman, E., Dobie, D. J., Ciechanowski, P.,
& Katon, W. J. (2002). Validation of the PTSD Checklist in an
HMO sample of women. General Hospital Psychiatry, 24(6),
375-380.
PCL-S
Andrykowski, M.A., Cordova, M.J., Studts, J.L., & Miller,
T.W. (1998). Posttraumatic stress disorder after treatment for
breast cancer: Prevalence of diagnosis and use of the PTSD
Checklist --- Civilian Version (PCL-C) as a screening instrument.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,
66(3),586-590.
Blanchard, E. B., Jones-Alexander, J., Buckley, T. C.,
Forneris, C. A. (1996). Psychometric properties of the PTSD
Checklist (PCL). Behaviour Research and Therapy, 34,
669-673.
Orlando, M. & Marshall, G.N. (2002). Differential item
functioning in a Spanish Translation of the PTSD Checklist:
Detection and evaluation of impact. Psychological Assessment,
14(1), 50-59.
Ruggiero, K. J, Ben, K. D., Scotti, J. R., & Rabalais, A.
E. (2003). Psychometric properties of the PTSD
Checklist-CivilianVersion. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16(5),
495-502.
Smith, M.Y., Redd, W.H., DuHamel, K.N., Vickberg, J., &
Ricketts, P. (1999). Validation of the PTSD Checklist-Civilian
version in survivors of bone marrow transplantation. Journal of
Traumatic Stress, 12(3), 485-499.
Ventureyra, V., Yao, S.N., Cottraux, J., Note, I., & De
Mey-Guillard, C. (2002). The validation of the Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder Checklist Scale in posttraumatic stress disorder and
nonclinical subjects. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 71(1),
47-53.
PCL-M
Weathers, F., Litz, B., Herman, D., Huska, J., & Keane,
T. (October 1993). The PTSD Checklist (PCL): Reliability, Validity,
and Diagnostic Utility. Paper presented at the Annual Convention of
the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, San
Antonio, TX.
Orsillo, Susan M. (2001). Measures for acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. In M.M. Antony & S.M. Orsillo (Eds.), Practitioner's guide to empirically based measures of anxiety (pp. 255-307). New York: KluwerAcademic/Plenum. PILOTS ID 24368
Norris, Fran H. & Hamblen, Jessica L. (2004). Standardized self-report measures of civilian trauma and PTSD. In J.P. Wilson, T.M. Keane & T. Martin (Eds.), Assessing psychological trauma and PTSD (pp. 63-102). New York: Guilford Press. PILOTS ID 18638
