Abstract
BackgroundThe Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL, now PCL-5) has recently been revised to reflect the new diagnostic criteria of the disorder.MethodsA clinical sample of trauma-exposed individuals (N = 352) was assessed with the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) and the PCL-5. Internal consistencies and test-retest reliability were computed. To investigate diagnostic accuracy, we calculated receiver operating curves. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were performed to analyze the structural validity.ResultsResults showed high internal consistency (α = .95), high test-retest reliability (r = .91) and a high correlation with the total severity score of the CAPS-5, r = .77. In addition, the recommended cutoff of 33 on the PCL-5 showed high diagnostic accuracy when compared to the diagnosis established by the CAPS-5. CFAs comparing the DSM-5 model with alternative models (the three-factor solution, the dysphoria, anhedonia, externalizing behavior and hybrid model) to account for the structural validity of the PCL-5 remained inconclusive.ConclusionsOverall, the findings show that the German PCL-5 is a reliable instrument with good diagnostic accuracy. However, more research evaluating the underlying factor structure is needed.
Highlights
The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL)-5) has recently been revised to reflect the new diagnostic criteria of the disorder
The Clinician Administered posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Scale (CAPS)-5 average severity score was 29.09 (SD = 16.42). Both symptom levels of depression as well as general psychopathology were in the moderate range
Inter-item correlations were computed as another measure for internal consistency and ranged from .21 to .73, which can be regarded as acceptable [34] (M = .48; re-experiencing items: .55 - .72, avoidance items: .65, negative alterations in cognitions and mood items: .23 - .69, and alterations in arousal and reactivity items: .27 - .73)
Summary
The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Checklist (PCL, PCL-5) has recently been revised to reflect the new diagnostic criteria of the disorder. The diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has undergone major changes with the transition from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) to DSM-5 [1]. These include an expansion from three to four symptom clusters, the introduction of three new symptoms, and the revision of some already existing symptoms (for an overview, see [2]). In addition to the original English PCL-5, a Swedish version [9] and a Chinese version [10, 11] have been examined
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