Child PTSD Symptom Scale – CPSS
Assesses PTSD diagnostic criteria and symptom severity among children and adolescents aged 8 to 18.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Child PTSD Symptom Scale – CPSS was developed by Edna B. Foa (2001). It is designed to measure Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptom severity. The scale is intended for use with Children and adolescents aged 8-18.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 17 items organized into 3 factors/subscales: Re-experiencing, Avoidance, Hyperarousal.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Re-experiencing | 1,2,3,4,5 | 5 |
| Avoidance | 6,7,8,9,10,11,12 | 7 |
| Hyperarousal | 13,14,15,16,17 | 5 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Not at all or only at one time, 1 = Once a week or less / Once in a while, 2 = 2 to 4 times a week / Half the time, 3 = 5 or more times a week / Almost always.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 51. Interpretation guidelines:
- Below clinical cutoff: 0 – 14
- Above clinical cutoff (suggestive of PTSD): 15 – 51
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of High internal consistency and test-retest reliability.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.