The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): Development and Initial Psychometric Evaluation

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 (rs = .74 to .85) and discriminant (rs = .31 to .60) validity. In addition, confirmatory factor analyses indicated adequate fit with the DSM‐5 4‐factor model, χ2(164) = 455.83, p < .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, χ2 (164) = 318.37, p < .001, SRMR = .05, RMSEA = .06, CFI = .92, and TLI = .90, and 7‐factor, χ2 (164) = 291.32, p < .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. Resumen Spanish s by the Asociacion Chilena de Estres Traumatico Lista de verificación del Trastorno por Estrés Postraumatico para el DSM‐5 La lista de verificación del Trastorno por Estrés Post‐Traumático (LVP o PCL por sus siglas en ingles: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist) es una medida DSM‐correspondiente de auto‐reporte de síntomas de TEPT ampliamente usada. La LVP fue recientemente revisada para reflejar los cambios DSM‐5 a los criterios de TEPT. Este artículo describe el desarrollo y evaluación psicométrica inicial de LVP para DSM‐5 (LVP‐5). Fueron examinadas propiedades psicométricas de LVP‐5 en dos estudios que involucraron estudiantes universitarios expuestos a trauma. En el estudio 1 (N = 278) las puntuaciones LVP‐ 5 exhibían fuerte consistencia interna (a = .94), y confiabilidad test‐re‐test (r = .82), y convergente (rs = .74 a .85) y validez discriminativa (rs = .31 a .60). Adicionalmente, análisis factoriales confirmatorios indicaron un ajuste adecuado con el modelo cuatro‐factores DSM‐5, Χ2 (164) = 455.83, p < .001; raíz cuadrada me