PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)
A 20-item self-report measure assessing the 20 DSM-5 symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) was developed by Weathers, F.W., Litz, B.T., Keane, T.M., Palmieri, P.A., Marx, B.P., & Schnurr, P.P. (2013). It is designed to measure Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 20 items organized into 4 factors/subscales: Re-experiencing, Avoidance, Negative alterations in cognition and mood, Hyper-arousal.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Re-experiencing | 1,2,3,4,5 | 5 |
| Avoidance | 6,7 | 2 |
| Negative alterations in cognition and mood | 8,9,10,11,12,13,14 | 7 |
| Hyper-arousal | 15,16,17,18,19,20 | 6 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Not at all, 1 = A little bit, 2 = Moderately, 3 = Quite a bit, 4 = Extremely.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Total scores range from 0 to 80. Interpretation guidelines:
- Below clinical cutoff: 0 – 37
- Provisional PTSD diagnosis: 38 – 80
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of High internal consistency across all four criterion scales.
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.