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Research Instrument Mental Health & Mood // PCL5

PTSD Checklist for DSM-5

20-item self-report measure of PTSD symptoms over the past month, aligned with DSM-5 criteria. Scores range from 0 to 80, with a provisional PTSD diagnosis suggested at a score of 31-33 or higher.

Purpose Details Scientific Documentation Limitations Related

Purpose

Self-report research instrument, reproduced here under an open license for non-diagnostic educational, research, and self-reflection use.

Details

Administration
Self-Administered
Intended Use
Research

Scientific Documentation

Developer / Author
Weathers, F. W., Litz, B. T., Keane, T. M., Palmieri, P. A., Marx, B. P., & Schnurr, P. P.
Development Year
2013

Theoretical framework: Self-report measure of the 20 DSM-5 PTSD symptoms, aligned with the DSM-5 four-cluster symptom structure.

Reliability: Published validation studies report high internal consistency (alpha generally above .90).

Validity: Validated against structured clinical PTSD interviews; developed and distributed by the U.S. National Center for PTSD.

References: Weathers, F. W., Litz, B. T., Keane, T. M., Palmieri, P. A., Marx, B. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2013). The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). National Center for PTSD.

Limitations: Imported from the OpenScales open item-bank project. This specific digital implementation has not been independently clinically validated by PsiQ — scores are for self-reflection, research, and educational purposes only, and are not a diagnosis.

License: Public Domain. Citation: Weathers, F. W., Litz, B. T., Keane, T. M., Palmieri, P. A., Marx, B. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2013). The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). National Center for PTSD. Available at: https://www.ptsd.va.gov This is not a diagnostic tool. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, please contact a licensed mental health professional or a crisis helpline in your country immediately.

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