Short Form of the PTSD Checklist - Civilian Version

Lang & Stein, 2005

Description

This 6-item screen was derived empirically from the PCL-C (Weathers et al., 1994) for use in primary care settings. It contains the 2 items from each of the reexperiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal clusters that correlated most highly with the individual cluster score on the PCL-C. Respondents rate items on a 5-point scale (ranging from 1 = "Not at all" to 5 = "Extremely"). The authors suggest a cutoff score of 14. Those screening positive should then be assessed with a structured interview for PTSD.

Sample Items

Repeated, disturbing memories, thoughts, or images of a stressful experience?
1. Not at all 2. A little bit 3. Moderately 4. Quite a bit 5. Extremely

Avoiding activities or situations because they reminded you of a stressful experience?
1.Not at all 2. A little bit 3. Moderately 4. Quite a bit 5. Extremely

References

Lang, A.J., Stein, M.B. (2005) An abbreviated PTSD checklist for use as a screening instrument in primary care. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 43, 585-594

To Obtain Scale

Ariel Lang, PhD
VA Outpatient Clinic (MC116A4Z)
University of California
8810 Rio San Diego Dr.
San Diego, CA 92108
Phone: (619) 400-5173
Email: ajlang@ucsd.edu

Measure availability: Information on measures is available to everyone. However, the assessment tools themselves can only be distributed to qualified mental health professionals and researchers. We maintain measures developed by affiliated staff of the National Center for PTSD.