Summary of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)

The PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) is a self-report screening tool designed to assess symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) (Weathers et al., 2013). It consists of 20 items, each corresponding to a specific PTSD symptom, and asks individuals to rate the severity of their symptoms over the past month on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 0 ("Not at all") to 4 ("Extremely").

The PCL-5 serves multiple purposes, including:

• Screening for PTSD in clinical and community settings.

• Monitoring symptom severity over time.

• Assessing PTSD diagnosis when used alongside a clinical interview (Weathers et al., 2013).

A total score of 31-33 or higher is often used as a cutoff to indicate probable PTSD, though clinical interpretation should always be conducted by a qualified professional (Blevins et al., 2015). The tool has demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including high reliability and validity, making it a widely used instrument in research and clinical practice (Blevins et al., 2015).

The PCL-5 is freely available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

References

• Blevins, C. A., Weathers, F. W., Davis, M. T., Witte, T. K., & Domino, J. L. (2015). The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5): Development and Initial Psychometric Evaluation. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 28(6), 489–498.

• 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.