The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for <i>DSM‐5</i> (PCL‐5): Development and Initial Psychometric Evaluation

TLDR

The PTSD Checklist (PCL) is a widely used DSM‑correspondent self‑report measure that has recently been revised to align with DSM‑5 criteria. The authors describe the development and initial psychometric evaluation of the PCL‑5. Psychometric properties of the PCL‑5 were examined in two studies with trauma‑exposed college students. Both studies found the PCL‑5 to have strong internal consistency, test‑retest reliability, convergent and discriminant validity, and acceptable fit to DSM‑5 factor models, indicating it is a psychometrically sound measure of PTSD symptoms.

Abstract

Abstract The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL) is a widely used DSM ‐correspondent self‐report measure of PTSD symptoms. The PCL was recently revised to reflect DSM‐5 changes to the PTSD criteria. In this article, the authors describe the development and initial psychometric evaluation of the PCL for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5). Psychometric properties of the PCL‐5 were examined in 2 studies involving trauma‐exposed college students. In Study 1 ( N = 278), PCL‐5 scores exhibited strong internal consistency (α = .94), test‐retest reliability ( r = .82), and convergent ( r s = .74 to .85) and discriminant ( r s = .31 to .60) validity. In addition, confirmatory factor analyses indicated adequate fit with the DSM‐5 4‐factor model, χ 2 (164) = 455.83, p &lt; .001, standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = .07, root mean squared error of approximation (RMSEA) = .08, comparative fit index (CFI) = .86, and Tucker‐Lewis index (TLI) = .84, and superior fit with recently proposed 6‐factor, χ 2 (164) = 318.37, p &lt; .001, SRMR = .05, RMSEA = .06, CFI = .92, and TLI = .90, and 7‐factor, χ 2 (164) = 291.32, p &lt; .001, SRMR = .05, RMSEA = .06, CFI = .93, and TLI = .91, models. In Study 2 ( N = 558), PCL‐5 scores demonstrated similarly strong reliability and validity. Overall, results indicate that the PCL‐5 is a psychometrically sound measure of PTSD symptoms. Implications for use of the PCL‐5 in a variety of assessment contexts are discussed.