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PTSD Symptom Scale
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About Scale Name
Scale Name
PTSD Symptom Scale
Author Details
Edna B. Foa
Translation Availability
Not Sure
Background/Description
The PTSD Symptom Scale (PSS) was developed by Edna B. Foa and colleagues in 1993. It is a 17-item self-report questionnaire that measures the frequency and severity of four clusters of symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):
- Intrusion symptoms: Repeated, unwanted memories or thoughts of the traumatic event, nightmares, or flashbacks.
- Avoidance symptoms: Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event, feeling detached from others, and having a restricted range of emotions.
- Arousal symptoms: Feeling on edge, having difficulty sleeping, being easily startled, and having an increased startle response.
- Negative alterations in cognitions and mood: Having negative beliefs about oneself or the world, feeling detached from others, and having trouble remembering the traumatic event.
Each item on the PSS is rated on a scale of 0 to 3, with 0 meaning “not at all” and 3 meaning “extremely.” The total score ranges from 0 to 51, with higher scores indicating more severe PTSD symptoms.
The PSS was originally developed to assess PTSD symptoms in adults who had experienced a variety of traumatic events, including combat, sexual assault, and natural disasters. It has since been used in a variety of research studies and clinical settings. The PSS is a reliable and valid measure of PTSD symptoms, and it has been shown to be sensitive to change over time.
The PSS is a helpful tool for screening for PTSD, monitoring the course of the disorder, and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. It can also be used to assess PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents. However, it is important to note that the PSS is not a diagnostic tool. A diagnosis of PTSD should be made by a qualified mental health professional.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
he PTSD Symptom Scale (PSS) can be self-administered or administered by a clinician. If you are self-administering the PSS, you will need to read each item and then rate how often you have experienced each symptom in the past week. You can rate your symptoms on a scale of 0 to 3, with 0 meaning “not at all” and 3 meaning “extremely.”
The PSS is designed to be administered by a clinician who is familiar with PTSD. The clinician will read each item to the person being assessed and then ask them to rate how often they have experienced each symptom in the past week.
The PSS takes about 10-15 minutes to complete, either self-administered or clinician-administered.
Here are the steps involved in administering the PSS:
- Introduce the PSS and explain that it is a self-report questionnaire that is used to assess symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Read each item on the PSS to the person being assessed.
- Ask the person to rate how often they have experienced each symptom in the past week, using a scale of 0 to 3.
- If the person is self-administering the PSS, they should record their ratings on the answer sheet.
- If the PSS is being administered by a clinician, the clinician should record the person’s ratings on the answer sheet.
- Once all of the items have been rated, the clinician should add up the person’s scores for each cluster of symptoms.
The total score for the PSS ranges from 0 to 51, with higher scores indicating more severe PTSD symptoms. A score of 30 or higher is considered to be indicative of PTSD.
Reliability and Validity
The PTSD Symptom Scale (PSS) is a reliable and valid measure of PTSD symptoms. Reliability refers to the consistency of the PSS, meaning that it produces similar results when it is administered multiple times to the same person. Validity refers to the extent to which the PSS measures what it is supposed to measure, in this case, PTSD symptoms.
The PSS has been shown to be reliable and valid in a variety of studies. In one study, the PSS had an internal consistency of 0.92, which means that the items on the scale are highly correlated with each other. This means that the PSS is consistent in measuring PTSD symptoms.
The PSS has also been shown to be valid. In one study, the PSS was compared to the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS), which is considered to be the gold standard for diagnosing PTSD. The PSS was found to have a sensitivity of 0.87 and a specificity of 0.89, which means that it is good at identifying people who have PTSD and good at ruling out people who do not have PTSD.
Available Versions
17-Items
Reference
Foa, E. B., Cashman, L., Jaycox, L., & Perry, K. (1997). The validation of a self-report measure of posttraumatic stress disorder: The Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale. Psychological Assessment, 9(4), 445–451. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.9.4.445
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PSS?
A self-report questionnaire that measures PTSD symptoms.
How many items does the PSS have?
17 items.
What is the scoring range for the PSS?
0-51.
What is the cut-off score for PTSD?
30 or higher.
How is the PSS administered?
Self-administered or clinician-administered.
What are the strengths of the PSS?
Reliable, valid, and brief.
What are the limitations of the PSS?
Does not measure all PTSD symptoms.
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