Adaptation of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5

The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a recognized instrument for assessing the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Previous studies suggest that the PCL-5 measures a unidimensional construct while capturing the seven specific dimensions of the so-called "hybrid model." While shorter versions of the PCL-5 have been suggested, none have explicitly tested their unidimensionality or covered all seven aspects of the hybrid model. This study employed exploratory and confirmatory methods to develop a brief 7-item version of the PCL-5 involving1,337 individuals seeking psychological support in Mexico. The sample was randomly distributed, using the first half to create the new short version and the second to test this and other previously proposed versions. This 7-item version and Price et al.'s (2014) 4-item version demonstrated satisfactory fit, and the one used in the present research, showing higher reliability (ω = .83) compared to Price et al.'s (ω = .73). Both versions demonstrated consistent performance across sexes. The adaptation of the scale presented here displayed stronger correlations with depression, anxiety, and worry. More closely resembling those of the longer PCL-5, in contrast to Price et al.'s version. The short PCL-5 may prove useful for measuring PTSD symptoms in situations where administering the lengthier PCL-5 is impractical. Future investigations should explore the performance of these short versions across different populations.