Escala de Gravedad de Síntomas del Trastorno de Estrés Postraumático según el DSM-5: versión forense (EGS-F)

Abstract

This study deals with the development of a forensic version (EGS-F) of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptom Severity Scale according to DSM-5 criteria. The aim of this paper is intended to assess the symptoms severity of this mental disorder, as well as to detect probable malingering and symptom exaggeration among victims of gender violence in a forensic context. The sample consisted of 526 victims of sexual or family violence who sought therapy and 74 victims of the same kind who filed a complaint in court. Symptom severity was higher in victims assessed in the forensic context than in victims assessed in the clinical context. Items designed to detect probable malingering adequately discriminated between the two groups (t=7.3, g=0.97). A cut-off point of 2 in the subscale of malingering is appropriate to correctly classify the 74% of probable malingerers. This scale is useful for forensic assessment in victims of PTSD.