PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version Research Articles

Posttraumatic stress symptoms among college students in Sichuan compared to those in Shanghai 18 Months after 2008 Sichuan 8.0 earthquake

The youth in less developed countries are more likely to be affected by an earthquake. However, no data on predictors of stress symptoms among college students after an earthquake in less developed countries was available. This study aims to compare the posttraumatic stress symptoms among college students in Sichuan to those in Shanghai 18 months after the Sichuan 8.0 earthquake and then evaluate the predictors. The PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) was used to evaluate the posttraumatic stress symptoms among college students in Sichuan (n = 203) and Shanghai (n = 212) 18 months after the 2008 Sichuan 8.0 earthquake. Then, the predictors were analyzed. The PCL-C total score of college students in Sichuan was significantly higher than that in Shanghai (P < 0.01). There was a significant relationship between the PCL-C total score and experiencing earthquake, degree of the seism aesthesia, injured in the earthquake and having family, friends or others known died in the earthquake (P < 0.01). Having family members, friends, or others known died in the earthquake was a significant predictor of stress symptoms (P < 0.01). This finding will help build a knowledge base for public health practitioners to plan resources and strategies for post-disaster mental health recovery programs. Key words: Earthquake, posttraumatic stress symptoms, PCL-C, college students.

Parents' Perceptions of Their Children's Cancer-Related Symptoms During Treatment: A Prospective, Longitudinal Study

This article describes a comprehensive assessment of treatment-related symptoms in children aged 0-18 years undergoing cancer treatment from the perspective of their parents. The aim was to describe which symptoms that, according to parents, cause most problems for children receiving cancer treatment and to explore whether there is a relationship between parents' ratings of their children's symptoms and their own post-traumatic stress at one week (T1), two months (T2), and four months (T3) after a child's cancer diagnosis. In total, 214 parents (107 mothers and 107 fathers) of 115 children answered a modified version of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale 10-18 and the PTSD Checklist Civilian Version over the telephone at T1-T3. According to parents, the following symptom areas cause the most problems for children undergoing cancer treatment: emotional distress, fatigue, nutrition, and pain. Pain is the most problematic area. The prevalence of most symptoms and the symptom burden decreases over time. Parents' ratings of their children's symptom burden and their own emotional distress, and mothers' and fathers' ratings of their child's symptom burden, are associated. Parents of adolescents report a greater symptom burden for their child than the parents of the youngest children. The opinions of both the patient and the parent are important in pediatrics. The results of this study can be used to guide health care professionals within pediatric oncology in their discussions of cancer treatment's adverse effects with patients and families. Not only the expectations and potential interventions but also the sources of worry should be discussed.

Psychometric properties of the PTSD checklist-civilian version among junior school students from earthquake-hit region

Objective To test psychometric properties of the PTSD checklist-civilian version(PCL-C) among junior school students from earthquake-hit region.Methods PC L-C Chinese Version, Rosenberg self-esteem scale and SCL-90 were utilized to assess 560 junior school students from earthquake-hit region.Results Firstly,the internal consistency of the total scale and three subscales were qualified, the coefficient alphas were 0.890,0.734,0.789 and 0.722, respectively; 307 participants, from the first samples, engaged in the second test two months after the first assessment.The test-retest stability was re-experiencing 0.40(P ＜ 0.01 ) ,avoidance 0.45 (P＜ 0.01 ), hyper-arousal 0.448 (P ＜ 0.01 ), total scale 0.535 (P ＜ 0.01 ), respectively.Secondly, the results of criteria validity showed PCL-C and its three subscales had negative correlation with self-esteem (r =-0.192 ～-0.299, P ＜ 0.01 ), and had positive-related with SCL-90 and its subscales of depression, anxiety, and psychotic (r=0.563 ～0.775, P＜0.01 ).Finally,the results of empirical validity revealed that based on the score on PCL-Ccould differentiate those people who have significant different scores on SCL-90.Conclusions The PCL-C hadgood reliabilities and validities,which could be used to assess the severity of PTSD. Key words: PTSD checklist-civilian version; Junior school student; Reliability; Validity

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in cancer: psychometric analysis of the Spanish Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist‐Civilian version

The PTSD Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C) was used as a screening tool to assess the presence of PTSD symptoms. The aim of this study was to explore the factorial structure of the Spanish version of the PCL-C and calculate the correlation of PTSD symptoms with distress and health-related quality of life. The sample included 494 cancer outpatients. In order to validate the PCL-C, a principal component analysis was applied. The association between variable was measured by Pearson correlation. Findings evidenced three symptoms clusters on the PCL-C version, defined as Hyperarousal/Re-experiencing, Numbing and Avoidance. About 10% of the total sample met clinical PTSD symptoms. In addition, PTSD symptoms were related negatively to health-related quality of life and positively related with distress. The conceptualization of PTSD symptoms for cancer patients is supported by the specific symptom clusters identified on PCL-C.

The research about emotional approach coping and PTSD after Wenchuan-earthquake in unaffected region

Objective To investigate the post traumatic stress disorder scores of undergraduate and the correlation between emotional approach coping(EAC) in unaffected region after Wenchuan-earthquake.Methods PTSD Check list-Civilian Version (PCL-C) and emotional approach coping scale(EACS) were used to assessed 880 undergraduates in Nanjing. Results (1)The average score of PCL-C was 30.52±9.64, and the prevalence rates of PTSD was found 5.3%.(2)Gender difference were found in social function(male:1.66±0.80,female:1.52±0.63, t =2.664,P =0.005) and positive scores of PTSD(male:31.32±10.81,female:29.81±8.41,t =2.263,P =0.022).(3)No significant difference was found in different specialty between PTSD,but in emotional procession and emotional expression.(4)Emotional-approach coping and expose time in front of media came into the regression equation of PTSD symptoms.Conclusion The score of PCL-C of undergraduate in unaffected region are infected by how long he spend in front of media and how he use emotion-approach coping strategy to cope with this shock bringing by Wenchuan-Earthquake Key words: PTSD; Unaffected region; Emotional approach coping; College students

Spanish and English versions of the PTSD Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C): testing for differential item functioning.

Interpretation of ethnic differences in PTSD is predicated on demonstration that differences are not due to measurement bias. This is difficult when multiple languages are used in the assessment. This study used confirmatory factor analysis to examine possible differential item functioning (DIF) across English and Spanish versions of the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C). Data were derived from two assessments of Hispanics (Ns = 304, 213), who were hospitalized with physical injuries. After correction for multiple testing, univariate tests revealed no statistically significant DIF effects; multivariate tests revealed some indication of DIF at the initial assessment only. This bias was inconsistent across waves and unlikely to be substantively consequential, indicating that the two versions of the PCL-C were generally equivalent.

Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in a Rural Primary Care Population in South Africa

The aim of this study was to assess trauma events experienced and PTSD among 250 consecutive rural primary clinic patients (all Black Africans, 24% male and 76% female; M age 31.1 yr., SD = 11.8; range 18-65 years) in South Africa using the Trauma History Questionnaire and the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version, interview administered. Results indicated that the mean number of traumatic events reported was 3.5 (SD = 2.9, range = 0-19) and was significantly higher among men (M= 4.9, SD = 3.5) than women (M = 3.0, SD = 2.6). Among the most frequently endorsed traumas among men were seeing someone seriously injured or killed (60%), serious accident (43.3%), and seeing dead bodies (43.3%), and among women natural disaster (mostly floods) (51.6%), news of a serious injury, life-threatening illness or unexpected death of someone close (31.1%), and seeing someone seriously injured or killed (30%). A current diagnosis of PTSD was found in 12.4% of the sample. Trauma incidence figures were high (M = 3.5) and were comparable with an urban Xhosa primary care population in South Africa (M = 3.8). A current indicative diagnosis of PTSD of 12.4% also compares with other studies; 19.9% among urban Xhosa primary care patients and 11.8% among American primary care patients.

TRAUMA AND POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN A RURAL PRIMARY CARE POPULATION IN SOUTH AFRICA1,2

The aim of this study was to assess trauma events experienced and PTSD among 250 consecutive rural primary clinic patients (all Black Africans, 24% male and 76% female; M age 31.1 yr., SD = 11.8; range 18–65 years) in South Africa using the Trauma History Questionnaire and the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version, interview administered. Results indicated that the mean number of traumatic events reported was 3.5 (SD = 2.9, range = 0–19) and was significantly higher among men (M = 4.9, SD = 3.5) than women (M = 3.0, SD = 2.6). Among the most frequently endorsed traumas among men were seeing someone seriously injured or killed (60%), serious accident (43.3%), and seeing dead bodies (43.3%), and among women natural disaster (mostly floods) (51.6%), news of a serious injury, life-threatening illness or unexpected death of someone close (31.1%), and seeing someone seriously injured or killed (30%). A current diagnosis of PTSD was found in 12.4%) of the sample. Trauma incidence figures were high (M = 3.5) and were comparable with an urban Xhosa primary care population in South Africa (M = 3.8). A current indicative diagnosis of PTSD of 12.4%) also compares with other studies; 19.9% among urban Xhosa primary care patients and 11.8% among American primary care patients.

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.

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.