Scale Overview & Construct
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 & Measurement Objectives
Instrument Specifications
Scientific Documentation & Psychometric Rigor
Internal Consistency & Reliability
Published validation studies report high internal consistency (alpha generally above .90).
Construct & Criterion Validity
Validated against structured clinical PTSD interviews; developed and distributed by the U.S. National Center for PTSD.
Academic Citations
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.
Academic Citation & Instrument Provenance
When referencing this instrument in research, academic theses, or clinical institutional audits, please cite the original author publication:
Governance, Boundaries & Ethical Use
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.